THE Bishop of Manchester, Dr David Walker, has welcomed the Government’s “long overdue” move to protect LGBTQ+ people in England and Wales from physical and psychological abuse by proposing a legal ban on conversion practices.
The Draft Conversion Practices Bill will set the criminal threshold as conduct that aims to change someone’s sexual orientation or transgender identity through abusive acts that seriously harm the victim.
Dr Walker said: “These have harmed LGBT+ people over many years, leaving many with lifelong trauma.
“This work is long overdue and comes after the General Synod of the Church of England voted, by a very large majority, in favour of the Government bringing forward a ban in 2017. I am pleased that this will bring an opportunity for consultation and scrutiny, so that substantial progress can at last be made.”
The Cabinet Office said that conversion practices still take place because of a series of legal loopholes that allow perpetrators to escape justice. “Existing pieces of legislation that cover domestic violence, coercive control and communications offences do not adequately address the unique nature of abusive conversion practices, leaving a gap in the law that can be exploited,” it said.
“In addition, the lack of a legal definition of abusive conversion practices makes it challenging for police and prosecutors to act. The only way to tackle these problems is through this legislation.”
The legislation will make abusive conversion practices that cause serious harm, alarm or distress to the victim, or encouraging or assisting an abusive conversion practice performed outside England and Wales, criminal offences.
The draft Bill also creates new civil Conversion Practice Protection Orders to support victims and those currently at risk of abuse.
Anyone found guilty of conducting abusive conversion practices could face an unlimited fine or a custodial sentence of up to five years, or both.
Olivia Bailey, the Minister for Equalities, said: “Conversion practices are driven by the false belief that being LGBT+ is shameful and can be forcibly changed.
“No-one should face abuse just because of who they are. That’s why we are delivering on our manifesto commitment to ban abusive conversion practices.
“Legal loopholes have left LGBT+ people vulnerable to these harmful acts, which is why we must legislate.”
A ban was first promised by the then prime minister Theresa May in 2018.
Jayne Ozanne, a former member of General Synod, and the chair of the UK’s Ban Conversion Therapy Coalition, said: “I am delighted and relieved that after eight long years we finally have a draft Bill to ban the terrible scourge of conversion practices, which is far more prevalent in our society than many would choose to believe. . .
“The devil, as always, is in the detail, and I remain concerned as to whether the ban will fully cover ‘praying the gay away’ and the thorny issue of consent.
“I myself willingly consented to years of prayer by loving friends who were keen ‘to help me lead a Godly life’ by trying to make me straight. The emotional toll of it all nearly killed me. It is particularly damaging to young and vulnerable LGBT+ people who want to please their family and religious leaders by consenting to these practices.”
The proposed ban was subject to criticism from some campaigners, however. Simon Calvert, the deputy director of the Christian Institute, said: “After eight years and five prime ministers, is this the best draft they can come up with?
“The bill would see parents, professionals, and pastors having to answer to the police for innocent conversations that trans activists claim are ‘abusive’. It’s wide open to misuse.”