PEP (Post-Exposure Prophylaxis) is a 28-day emergency pill course that can stop HIV if taken within 72 hours of a risk. So if a condom broke, you were assaulted, or something went wrong, you have the right to ask for PEP.

PEP must be started within 72 hours.
The sooner, the better.

⏱️ 0–24 hours: Most effective
⏱️ 24–48 hours: Still works well
⏱️ 48–72 hours: Still offered
⛔ After 72 hours: Too late for PEP still contact a medical professional.

What to Say at a Clinic or Hospital

Go straight to a hospital emergency room or sexual health clinic and say:

“I may have been exposed to HIV. I want to start PEP.”

“The risk was within 72 hours. Can you help me now?”

(Optional) “I do sex work and need to protect myself.”

You don’t need to prove what happened.

You can ask for:

👉 The on-call infectious diseases doctor

👉 Staff who give PEP to healthcare workers after a needle-stick injury

Call NSW PEP info line

📞 1800 737 669

They can talk directly to the hospital staff on your behalf.

Where Can You Get PEP in NSW?

Any public hospital Emergency Department (ED)

Sexual health clinics during business hours

Some GPs who understand HIV

❗ If a Doctor or Nurse Refuses to Help…

Stay calm and say:

“ASHM and NSW Health say PEP should be offered within 72 hours after risk. Can you call the HIV specialist on-call or refer me now?”

Show them:
NSW PEP Guidelines – ASHM

🔗 View ASHM Guidelines

Still refused? You can and should make a complaint.

📝 How to Make a Complaint in NSW

If a hospital or clinic refused you PEP, made you feel judged, or delayed care:

Write down what happened:

Who you spoke to

What was said

Date, time, place

Complain to the NSW Health Care Complaints Commission (HCCC):
🔗 View HCCC Website
📞 1800 043 159

You can also complain nationally via:
🔗 View AHPRA Website

Complaints help stop it happening to others, even if you're anonymous.

🙋 Where to Get Support

SWOP NSW – Support for sex workers

🔗 View SWOP Website

Thorne Harbour Health – HIV/STI help

🔗 View Thorne Harbour Website

🆘 If you were assaulted: Sexual Assault Services NSW

🔗 View SAS Website

✅ Remember:

✔️ PEP works but only if you act fast
✔️ You don’t need to explain everything just ask for it
✔️ You can ask a doctor, nurse, or hospital
✔️ You deserve respect, care, and access no matter your job or visa.

Help Getting PEP

Doxy-PEP (doxycycline as post-exposure prevention) is a new way to reduce the risk of getting STIs like chlamydia, syphilis, and gonorrhoea, especially for people who are having sex with multiple partners or doing sex work.

But some doctors still say no, don’t understand it, or judge you.

How to Ask for Doxy-PEP

At a clinic or doctor, say:

“I’m at high risk of STIs and would like to use Doxy-PEP for prevention.”

“I know the studies support its use. Can we discuss if it’s right for me?”

You don’t need to “prove” your sex life.
You don’t have to wait for an STI first.

What the Evidence Says

✔️ Doxy-PEP has been shown to reduce:

Chlamydia by 70%

Syphilis by 80%

Gonorrhoea by 0%-50% (varies)

🧪 Based on the DoxyPEP Study (2022–23):

🔗 View DoxyPEP Trial Information

📢 NSW Health and ASHM are currently reviewing guidance but doctors can prescribe it now off-label, the same way they do many other meds.

You can say:

“Off-label use is common in sexual health. I’m informed and requesting it for STI prevention.”

“ASHM supports individualised care. Can I be referred to a sexual health doctor if you’re not comfortable prescribing?”

📝 If You’re Judged or Denied:

You can make a formal complaint if:

You were refused unfairly

You felt shamed or judged

A doctor dismissed your request without proper discussion

NSW Complaint Options:

NSW Health Care Complaints Commission
🔗 View HCCC Website
📞 1800 043 159

AHPRA (for GPs or nurses)
🔗 View AHPRA Website

🆘 Support:

🔗 View SWOP Website

❤️ Thorne Harbour Health

🔗 View Thorne Harbour Health Website

You don’t need to make a legal case. Just say what happened. Complaints help stop medical stigma.

✅ Bottom Line

✔️ Doxy-PEP is real, effective, and available
✔️ You can ask for it without shame
✔️ Doctors can prescribe it now
✔️ You don’t have to wait until you catch something
✔️ You can complain if you're dismissed or treated badly

Help Getting Doxy-PEP

Help Getting PrEP

PrEP is a daily pill or 6 monthly injection that helps to protect you from getting HIV through sex or needle sharing.

In Australia, it’s approved, subsidised, and available but some doctors still don’t understand it.

What to Bring or Say

✔️ “I want PrEP to protect myself from HIV.”
✔️ “I’m eligible and understand the guidelines.”
✔️ “Can you help me get started, or refer me?”

What to Say at the Clinic:

Here are simple ways to ask for PrEP:

“I’m sexually active and want PrEP to prevent HIV.”

“I meet the risk guidelines. Can I start PrEP?”

(Optional) “I do sex work and want to protect myself.”

That’s enough. You don’t need to explain more.

📄 What the Guidelines Say:

Australian PrEP guidelines support access for:

Men who have sex with men

Trans or cis male sex workers

Anyone with multiple partners or inconsistent condom use

Show this to your doctor if they push back:

🔗 View ASHM PrEP Guidelines

If a Doctor Says “No”...

Stay calm and say:

“I’m eligible under ASHM guidelines. Could you refer me to someone who does prescribe PrEP?”

If they still refuse, you can make a formal complaint. 👇

Need Help or Support?

If you're unsure what to say or want backup, reach out to:

SWOP NSW – Support for sex workers

🔗 View SWOP Website

Thorne Harbour Health – HIV/sexual health support

🔗 View Thorne Harbour Health Website

You can complain anonymously or get help writing it up.

📝 How to Make a Complaint in NSW

If you were judged, denied PrEP unfairly, or treated badly:

Write it down:

What was said

Date/time/location

How it made you feel

Make a complaint to the NSW Health Care Complaints Commission (HCCC):
🖱️ View HCCC Website

📞 1800 043 159 (Monday to Friday)

You can also make a national complaint via:
🔗 View AHPRA Website

Disclaimer:

Not Professional Advice

No Liability & Use at Your Own Risk

No Endorsement of any Provider

🚪 Exit