"CRIME"
1. TYPE OF PREVENTION MATERIAL.
- Poster.
- 100% vector drawing (compatible with very big enlargement like public
advertising or reduction for magazines, tracts or leaflets without loss
of graphic quality).
- Colors.
2. OBJECTIVES OF "CRIMINAL " POSTER.
The principal objective of this poster is to progressively impose personal
guilt by social pressure (the morale in this figure) on individuals who
practice dangerous sexual behavior. Using a condom is much more than a the
man's choice involving his personal pleasure and protection from personal
danger! Using a condom is also a respect of the life of the partner!
Messages
To deliver the following "2nd line messages":
The leading message is definitely moral. We observe (not only in Thailand
but in all the world), an inadequate bipolar moral tendency:
1- "HIV infection is a punishment as it reflects the notion of immorality…"
This is especially promoted by uneducated traditional people in the agrarian
and industrial societies and by certain religious groups. This perception
usually induces severe stigmatization against the HIV / AIDS patients.
or
2- "There is no question of morality connected with HIV infection…"
This is strongly promoted by some activist groups in reaction to stigmatization.
Things are in fact much more complex and sensitive than either
of these extremes suggest.
This poster is definitely promoting a moral message that nobody should elude:
It is criminal to refuse to use a condom when practicing any form of unsafe
sex.
This notion is not only related to "technical issues" but mainly
to fundamental "ethical" principles. This is a CONDITIONAL NECESSITY
to achieve efficient AIDS prevention.
Too many persons (not only inconsiderate persons) still do
not incorporate the notion of infection of their partner by HIV into the
ethical principles leading their life. They just think that using or not
using a condom is a personal choice. For instance, it is very common to
hear: "…now that I am HIV positive, I do not have to protect myself
anymore…" or "I am not using a condom because I do not fear
AIDS.
Only a negative HIV blood test done at least 3 months after the last unsafe
sexual practice allows anyone to refuse to use condom (the risk is only
for the person himself in that occurrence).
To deliver the following "1st line messages":
- The use of a condom is the best prevention tool against sexual contamination
of HIV.
- AIDS is still an abundant disease that kills.
Targeted people
-
This poster can easily be adapted to use in all cultures, including Western cultures.
-
This poster is not adequate for people who lack basic information about AIDS and the use of condoms as the principal means for preventing sexual transmission of HIV.
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For "agrarian" and "industrial" groups, this poster may be negatively perceived as perturbing basic ethical principles as the poster is explicitly dedicated to persons having multiple sexual partners without promoting marriage and faithfulness in the couple. In fact, the principal message of the poster is sound moral advice ? but a moral advice targeting what some people or groups consider "immoral" sexual behavior. Leaders of puritan agrarian and industrial groups may feel that generalized dissemination of this poster will promote dissolute sexual life. Thus, to avoid direct or indirect conflict, copies of the poster should NOT be distributed at public transportation places, city halls or on big advertising panels.
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This poster is particularly targeted to the "post-industrial" groups for which the ethical messages of marriage and faithfulness are almost ineffective in determining their sexual activities. It means that copies of this poster can be disseminated at post-industrial meeting points (in specific magazines, at universities, in some "hot" places like Pattaya, Patpong…).
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The content of this poster is compatible with the requirements of most "tribal" groups and can be exhibited publicly in many tribal villages. After only a few days, most members of the village will totally understand the meaning of the text and images.
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Displaying this poster in secondary schools may be a sensitive issue, particularly with the school's administration and some parents. However, "PrevAIDS" is in favor of displaying this poster in secondary schools because students at this level are recognized as a potential "high-risk group" and are an important target audience. Students get HIV/AIDS too and often have multiple sexual partners. Furthermore, these students have a clear tendency to share the "post-industrial" way of life due to their easy access to the internet and to urban media.
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The material in this poster is not adapted for use in primary schools.
4. POSSIBLE ADVERSE EFFECTS OF THE POSTER
We have to be careful for dissemination strategies because:
- This poster could produce a contra-productive reaction among
agrarian and industrial puritan activists.
- This poster may induce a big polemic if using the word "SIN"
(inadequate for Thai society). But such polemic is excellent to induce moral
questions in society.
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paul yves wery - aidspreventionpro@gmail.com
aids-hospice.com & prevaids.org & stylite.net