This approach utilizes a full spectrum of strategies from safer use to moderation management to abstinence. Harm reduction acknowledges that incremental steps are significant in making progress toward behavior change. Hence, whether addressing alcohol use, drug use or sexual behaviors, a harm reduction approach identifies a range of risk at which an individual is placing oneself through specific behaviors, and then, encourages this person to set their own realistic targets for behavior change. Oriented toward working with the whole person, harm reduction programs create environments and develop strategies for behavior change that are practical, client-centered, and effective. The goals are to create and support a sense of community for this population, and to establish and maintain safer sex as its behavioral norm.
Social events take place on a regular basis, each with a safer sex component.
A group of volunteers coordinated jointly by the BCAP MSM Assistant Outreach Coordinator and CUs Sexual Health Education Program visit bars monthly and distribute safer sex kits which contain male condoms, lube, dental dams, information and referral numbers. The MSM Asst. Innovative methods of communication through discussion and social marketing techniques are used to share information about safer sex, HIV antibody testing, support groups, and other appropriate topics. Referrals are also made to BCAP's other services such as the Man2Man Connection. The MSM Outreach Coordinator and Assistant share the same information via the Internet as that shared in PSE Outreach.