In a landmark case, a man from Canberra, Australia, has been convicted for transmitting genital herpes to a sexual partner, receiving a 13-month community correction order for recklessly inflicting grievous bodily harm. This conviction is notable as it is the first of its kind in Australia, although similar prosecutions have occurred in the United Kingdom. The man had been diagnosed with HSV-2 in 2020 but did not disclose his condition to his partner before they engaged in sexual activity. Experts caution that criminalizing the transmission of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) like herpes may not enhance community safety and could actually backfire by discouraging individuals from seeking necessary medical care. They argue that such legal actions may create a stigma that prevents honest communication about STIs, ultimately complicating public health efforts. Instead, a shared responsibility model is suggested, where all sexual partners take proactive measures to protect themselves, regardless of their partner's disclosure status.