Stonewall responds to the new report on the draft Bill to ban conversion practices from the Policy Exchange

"Let's be clear - the Draft Conversion Practices Bill is about ending abuse and protecting people at risk of harm. It will send a clear message from government that all lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer people deserve to feel safe to be themselves.

"The recent report from Policy Exchange misunderstands and undermines this vital work. It argues for the introduction of loopholes on consent, reasonableness and age that would weaken the very protections this legislation is trying to introduce.

"Conversion practices are happening in the UK. Stonewall's research with YouGov published this week found that 1% of LGBTQ+ people have undergone conversion practices, with a further 4% having been offered them.

"There is a gap in legislation that needs fixing. Current laws only capture the most extreme cases and miss how conversion practices typically operate - through repeated pressure, emotional manipulation, shame, and social isolation that builds up over time. No current law treats this sustained, coordinated pattern of behaviour as the harm it is.

"A Parliamentary committee is now taking evidence in pre-legislative scrutiny. We urge all those with relevant knowledge and lived experience to submit written evidence and help ensure the legislation is robust, effective, and proportionate."

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