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

George Palattiyil, Dina Sidhva

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapterpeer-review

Abstract

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.
Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationGetting to Zero
Subtitle of host publicationGlobal Social Work Responds to HIV
EditorsMark Henrickson, David Chipanta, Vimla Nadkarni, Vincent Lynch, Hernando Muñoz Sanchez, Tetyana Semigina, Vishanthie Sewpaul
Place of PublicationGeneva
PublisherMassey University Press
Pages201-225
Number of pages25
ISBN (Electronic)978- 0 -9941407-2-2
ISBN (Print)978-0-9941415-4-5
Publication statusPublished - 17 Mar 2017

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