Campaign reply - Expert panel on Ban Conversion Therapy – please attend

Thank you for contacting my office. I very much appreciate you getting in touch about the Conversion Therapy Bill.

Due to urgent Parliamentary business, I could not attend this briefing. However, I am aware that this is a difficult and sensitive issue for many people. I welcome that the Government has introduced the Conversion Therapy Bill which strengthen existing criminal law by ensuring that violent conversion therapy is recognised as a potential aggravating factor upon sentencing, as well as making sure those found guilty of conversion therapy offences have any profit obtained from those crimes removed. Further, it will protect freedom of speech, ensuring parents, clinicians and teachers can continue to have conversations with people seeking support.

The Bill does not include a commitment to ban transgender conversion therapy, as this is to ensure that any legislative measures brought forward will not have any unintended consequences. I understand that this is a legally complex area, and the Government have a responsibility to ensure that these unintended consequences are not written into legislation, particularly in the case of under eighteens. This will make sure that children and young people are properly supported and protected when considering changing their gender.

I am positive about the steps that have been made so far in the UK to achieve LGBT equality, and this is an issue I will continue to monitor closely.

Once again, thank you for taking the time to write. If you require any further assistance, then please do not hesitate to get in touch.