WAAC

1 Nov

WAAC (pronounced like ‘whack’) is a non-profit organisation with a vision for a world of positive healthy people in inclusive, connected communities. Established in 1985, WAAC’s purpose is to optimise the health and wellbeing of all, through reducing the impact of stigma and discrimination, improving access to health services and information and reducing transmission of HIV, sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and blood-borne viruses (BBVs).

From their website:

WAAC provides a broad range of sexual health and support services, including counselling and support for people living with HIV, testing and sexual health services for LGBTQIA+ people, peer mentoring, education and training, social support for LGBTQIA+ young people, harm reduction services for people who inject drugs, resources and much more.

WAAC is committed to recognising the role of carers in the community and providing a way of involving them in delivering services that affect them and their caring role.

WAAC has been operating for over 35 years, officially beginning in 1985 as the Western Australian AIDS Council.

In the last four decades the HIV/AIDS landscape has continued to change significantly and WAAC’s role has been redefined again and again.

Today, we still provide much needed support to people living with HIV, but the focus is only Living Well, not dying with dignity, as it once was. Programs now educate a much larger proportion of the community on the importance of sexual health and healthy relationships.