"An eye-opening experience" – Social Work STUdents Reflect on their Social Action Placement with AIDS NB
Social Work STUdents Jessica Patterson, Aiden Tingley, Maryse Godin, and Kaylyn Fullarton have been working to raise awareness and engage policymakers in developing guidance in New Brunswick surrounding the criminalization of HIV non-disclosure.
Their work is part of a social action field placement with AIDS NB.
"The social action placement is a crucial part of the Bachelor of Social Work program as it allows us to experience first-hand the issues people are struggling with within the community. It's incredibly empowering to realize that, as future social workers, we have the tools and opportunities to create positive change," said Fullarton.
During their time at AIDS NB, the STUdents have been working on a call to action to suggest policy reforms on the laws and policies in place for HIV criminalization in New Brunswick. Currently, HIV non-disclosure is a legal risk for criminalization in Canada — non-disclosure can lead to jail time and sex offender registration for life. No other medical condition has been criminalized this way.
In addition to working on their call to action, the four STUdents have participated in local outreach and deliveries of safe sex supplies and drug harm reduction kits, completed Naloxone training, and completed training surrounding HIV and Hepatitis C.
Fullarton feels privileged to be a part of this important initiative with AIDS NB.
"It's been amazing to see the direct impact our work is having in the communities we serve. I've learned so much from the team at AIDS NB. The work we're doing, whether through outreach, harm reduction, or social media engagement, has noticeable effects, and knowing we're part of a team working to improve people's lives is incredibly motivating," she said.
For Maryse Godin, STU's emphasis on self-reflection and critical thinking made the social action placement an enlightening experience.
"This placement emphasizes actively participating in social action and is a great opportunity to engage in social justice and learn about different ways to advocate for marginalized groups on a broader scale," said Godin.
"It's one thing to have the knowledge and the theoretical skills that are taught in class, but the social action placement is where you really begin to learn what a career in social work could look like," said Patterson.
"From making up the harm reduction kits to passing them out to service users, this placement has been eye-opening in so many ways."
"The social action placement reminds me just how broad social work can be and how it's not a one-size-fits-all profession,” added Tingley. “This provides an opportunity to step out of your comfort zone. I have learned so much from my time at AIDS NB and can't wait to continue learning."