Conversion Therapy Helpline is ‘state-sanctioned surveillance’
by Carys Moseley, Christian Concern:
The UK government has advertised a contract to set up a Conversion Therapy Victims Helpline. Work on setting up the helpline is due to start on 25 March this year. The project is set to run before a bill to ban conversion therapy is tabled in Parliament, and until 24 March 2024. This gives plenty of time for the government to bring a bill before the next general election, should it be delayed for some reason.
New funding for victims of ‘conversion therapy’ was promised by Liz Truss, Minister for Women and Equalities, in May 2021. The government stated in its recent consultation for England and Wales that it was considering setting up a helpline (Section 6.6).
What the helpline will do
Here is how the helpline is described in the advert. I provide an analysis of the comments in bold below.
“The Authority requires the development, set-up and operation of a helpline and website that will direct clients to relevant, existing services and provide initial pastoral support to individuals who have gone through, are going through, or are at risk of conversion therapy practices. The helpline and website will be collectively known as the Conversion Therapy Victim Support Service. The service will be required to direct clients to existing support and to provide information and, when necessary, direct support to vulnerable persons, whilst the website will be expected to provide public information and resources on the topic of conversion therapy.
“That the service required provides guidance and signposting to relevant services that users may require, such as counselling, options for making a report to the police, and other public services such as emergency housing. The service should also provide support to professionals who may be concerned about an instance of conversion therapy and are seeking support on what action to take.”
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