by James MacIntyre, Church Times
Proposed legislation will make such attempts a criminal offence, subject to fines and custodial sentences
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.