On 29 October, Elizabeth Truss MP launched the Banning Conversion Therapy Government Consultation. The consultation, which will close at 23:45 on 10 December 2021, seeks views on a package of proposed measures that will apply to England and Wales. Responses to the consultation can be submitted online. The list of questions is available to view on the Government website.
The Government proposes to target LGBT conversion therapy by:
- Creating a new criminal offence for talking conversion therapy where it is committed against under 18s under any circumstance or committed against those over 18 who have not consented or, due to their vulnerability, are unable to do so.
- Legislating to ensure that when existing violent or physical offences are motivated by conversion therapy, this is considered a potential aggravating factor by the judge upon sentencing by a court. This approach intends to retain clarity of the law by not introducing an overlapping offence.
- Producing a package of measures including Conversion Therapy Protection Orders, new support for victims, restricting promotion or advertising, removing profit streams, and strengthening the case for disqualification from holding a senior role in a charity.
The Catholic Union has produced an overview of the Government’s proposals, which can be accessed here.