Listening to the voiceless: lived experiences of asylum seekers living with HIV in Scotland and the implications for social work practice

HIV thrives in conditions of powerlessness, poverty and inequality;
the very issues that mark the lives of asylum seekers, making them
vulnerable to HIV. Drawing on a recent study, this paper explores the lives
of asylum seekers in Scotland—a country they call home today. The study
uncovered conditions that continue to present a real threat to the human
rights and health of HIV-positive asylum seekers: stigma, human rights
violations, detention, deportation and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
While some reported positive stories of support from voluntary agencies, any
reference to front-line statutory social work was conspicuous by its absence.
In the current environment of austerity, managerialism and neo-liberal
approaches, the paper argues for mainstream social work and policy-makers
to re-engage with this most vulnerable group to develop culturally sensitive,
inclusive and rights-based practices to facilitate timely access to support,
care and treatment, so that their voices are heard in informing policy and
practice.