Watch your mouth

WHAT IS STIGMA AND DISCRIMINATION, AND WHY DOES LANGUAGE MATTER. STIGMA IS AN ATTITUDE ABOUT PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES, ACTIVITIES AND HEALTH CONDITIONS THAT LEADS TO REJECTING, AVOIDING OR FEARING OTHERS.

Discrimination occurs when individuals or institutions unjustly deprive others of their rights and opportunities due to stigma. Discrimination may result in social exclusion. When a person internalises the negative attitudes and interactions they experience, it can cause feelings of shame, hopelessness, low self-esteem and despair. Together, stigma and discrimination can create barriers that deprive people of equal access to housing, employment, education and health services.

In the context of blood borne virus, stigma and discrimination are driven by a range of factors including outdated ideas and misinformation about transmission and transmissibility, but also because blood-borne viruses are often associated with activities that society places value judgements on. Stigma and discrimination are also driven by the language used when talking about BBVs. The words we choose can have a powerful impact on our conversations with and about the people who access our services and can influence our attitudes, beliefs, and behavior toward them, including the care decisions that service providers make. Not only does language influence our response, but informs public perceptions, and can shape the way others feel about themselves.

Using language that is stigmatising can reinforce negative stereotypes, and can make people feel judged, unwelcome, or unsafe - leading to less engagement with health services that provide BBV prevention, testing and treatment options. Conversely, subtle but significant changes to the words and phrases we use makes our language respectful and empowering. Respectful language makes people feel valued and can make a positive difference or how people think, feel and act.

While working towards using respectful language, it can be helpful to acknowledge that there is no one-size-fits-all approach we can use to ensure that we are using the right words. There are, however, some overarching considerations that can help.

Person first language uses language that prioritises someone’s identity as a human being before anything else: a person who uses drugs (instead of drug user)

Here are two kinds of inclusive language.

1 - Language which is free from words and phrases that reflect value judgements or reinforce stereotypes: Used injecting equipment instead of dirty needles.

2 - Language which neither deliberately or inadvertently excludes nor assumes features of a person’s identity: partner instead of boyfriend or girlfriend.

See page 13 for some more examples.

Keep in mind, this isn’t a definitive set of rules to apply across the board. Respectful language depends on the individual and the context. What’s important is to try to ensure your language doesn’t contribute to further stigma. If in doubt, ask!