Do you ensure a safe and respectful environment that does not isolate or marginalize clients?

• A Core Competency in the Prevention of Sexually Transmitted and Blood-Borne Infections (STBBIs)

Consider...
Rico and Malia recently implemented a weekly drop-in for street-involved youth who are clients of their agency's sexual health clinic and needle exchange program. For many weeks the program ran very smoothly, but recently there have been homophobic and racist remarks exchanged, and some of the youth are feeling bullied by other members. The coordinators have tried to enforce the rules about respectful behaviour but the problem persists and attendance is dropping.

Do you work in the area of sexual health or STBBI advocacy, prevention and support? Are you able to ensure a safe and respectful environment for your clients?

Use the questions below to help you self-assess your knowledge, skills, attitudes and practices related to creating respectful environments. Remember that depending on your role, you may require different levels of proficiency for the various core competencies and it is possible that some of the competencies are not relevant to your work.

1. What is marginalization? How can sexual health programs help to reduce marginalization among traditionally marginalized groups (e.g., street-involved youth or homeless women)?
2. Do you know and apply your organization's policies and procedures to deal with instances of racism, sexism, homophobia, and other types of discrimination?
3. Do you know and apply your organization's policies and procedures to deal with instances of verbal and physical abuse on the premises?
4. What are some practical and visible ways to decrease the stigma associated with HIV and other STIs in 1) a testing clinic, 2) a peer support group, or 3) a high school information fair?
5. Do you know how to apply techniques to improve communication and group dynamics among diverse populations?

Suggested resources:

• Sexual Diversity Tool Kit, International Planned Parenthood Federation, 2008
• Community Tool Box. Chapter 27, Section 9: Transforming Conflicts in Diverse Communities, University of Kansas Work Group for Community Health and Development
• HIV Prevention Guidelines and Manual: A Tool for Service Providers Serving African and African Caribbean Communities Living in Canada, by L. James, African and Caribbean Council on HIV/AIDS in Ontario and Women's Health in Women's Hands Community Health Centre, 2006
• HIV in Canada: A primer for service providers, Section 4.1.1 Stigma and Discrimination, CATIE
• Trauma-Informed Practice Guide, BC Provincial Mental Health and Substance Use Planning Council, 2013

This is one of a series of cases on the core competencies for STBBI prevention. View all 26 cases on the core competencies for STBBI prevention.

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