18-year-old Aaron George of Ajax, Ontario (photo: Peterborough Police Service)

PETERBOROUGH — Peterborough police have arrested an Ajax teen, charging him with two counts of aggravated sexual assault in relation to two separate incidents involving two separate victims that occurred in November and December of last year.

Investigation has revealed that the accused, diagnosed as being HIV positive at the time, had knowingly engaged in unprotected sex and failed to disclose to either victim that he was HIV positive.

Charged is Aaron George, 18. He was scheduled to appear in court Wednesday (April 8).

Police say the incidents occurred while he was residing in Peterborough.

Peterborough police believes there may be more victims as the accused is known to have had access to online dating sites. Any potential victims, or anyone with information, is asked to contact the Peterborough police, 705-876-1122, or phone the Peterborough Police Service Crime Line at 705-876-1122, ext. 555 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS.

Any members of the community who believe they may have been exposed to a communicable disease are encouraged to immediately seek medical attention, either with their family physician or through the Peterborough County-City Health Unit, 705-743-1000.
The Peterborough AIDS Resource Network (PARN) issued a statement Wednesday afternoon about the alleged incident.
The organization said that it feels dealing with such allegations in a criminal manner is an ineffective and inappropriate tool to address HIV exposure.

„HIV/AIDS is an individual and public health issue first and foremost, and should be addressed as such. All legal and policy responses to HIV/AIDS should be based on the best available evidence, the objectives of HIV prevention, care, treatment and support, and respect for human rights.

„Most people living with HIV practice safer sex and/or disclose their status. It is everyone’s responsibility, whether they know their HIV status or not, to ensure that HIV and other sexually transmitted infections are not transmitted. Criminalization disproportionately places the responsibility for preventing HIV transmission on people living with HIV.“

Source: myKawartha.com, Apr 08, 2015