Campaigners call for urgent ban on ‘conversion therapy’

Campaigners have called for urgent action to outlaw so-called conversion therapy.

The ‘Cooper Report’ , chaired by Helena Kennedy QC, argues that all practices that aim to suppress, “cure” or change sexual orientation or gender identity must be criminalised, including “condemnatory” prayer.

The report, published today, also recommends that there be no legal defence that a victim may have consented to the ‘therapy’, claiming that they are not made aware of the process’ psychological risks and thus “cannot give informed consent”.

Criminalisation is “essential when dealing with human rights abuses as this draws a clear line as to what acts will and will not be tolerated in a civilised society”, Kennedy writes in the report.

She goes on to say that the government should implement the legislation without further consultation.

In the Queen’s speech in May, the government said it would legislate to ban “coercive and abhorrent” conversion practices, but pledged to uphold freedom of expression and belief.

A YouGov poll published earlier this year shows that two-thirds of British adults believe conversion practices should be outlawed.

Many groups argue that a ban could infringe on religious freedoms, such as teaching that all sex outside a heterosexual marriage is sinful.
The Evangelical Alliance, which says it represents 3,500 churches, has suggested an “expansive definition” of conversion therapy could infringe on freedom of belief, and its UK director Peter Lynas said ministry leaders could be “at risk of arrest” for encouraging young people to be celibate before marriage.

Some mental health professionals have expressed concerns over fears they may being accused of conversion therapy if they question people who are struggling with their gender identity.