Introduction Te Kāhui Tika Tangata Human Rights Commission (the Commission) is providing people who work with rangatahi and their whānau information on the Conversion Practices Prohibition Legislation Act 2022, which makes conversion practices unlawful in Aotearoa New Zealand. Children and young people are particularly vulnerable to conversion practices. Youth work organisations and educational institutes play a vital role in providing acceptance, understanding and support for all young people. This guidance details what conversion practices can look like in youth work and education settings and provides suggestions for supporting children and young people in these contexts. What are conversion practices? Conversion practices are actions taken towards an individual with the intention of changing or suppressing their sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression.1 They are sometimes referred to as ‘conversion therapy’. These practices are typically directed at members of the LGBTQIA+, takatāpui2 Māori and MVPFAFF+3 Pasifika communities. They result from a conversion ideology that promotes the idea that being a member of the rainbow community is wrong and can be changed. Conversion ideology Conversion ideology is a homophobic and transphobic view that includes: 22 • the belief that all people are heterosexual and cisgender • the belief that anyone who is not heterosexual and cisgender has experienced some damage, neglect, abuse or other inappropriate influence that affected their ‘development’. This can result in LGBTQIA+ identities being treated as an illness and even ‘contagious’ • the belief it is possible to fully or partially stop being LGBTQIA+ through spiritual, psychological or other intervention • the belief that change would be positive for the individual, family, community or culture, or that it is a condition for being fully accepted, affirmed and included • the belief that being LGBTQIA+ clashes with a given faith, culture, community or family value set • the belief that LGBTQIA+ people are present in certain settings for malevolent reasons such as ‘recruiting’ to a group which has ‘chosen’ to be this way. These beliefs are propagated by mis- and disinformation. While they do not amount to a conversion practice in themselves, they put LGBTQIA+ people, including those concealing their identity, at risk. Conversion ideology is supported in environments where beliefs are taught as fact and where testing beliefs is discouraged by people in authority. Children and young people are particularly at risk in indoctrinating environments because they are learning ideas that will affect how they organise and interpret information throughout their life. The harm caused by conversion practices Even though conversion practices occasionally appear to provide short term results, they inevitably fail and cause significant harm.4 Evidence, internationally and in Aotearoa, shows survivors of conversion practices experience mental distress, withdrawal and isolation, negative career impacts, physical health symptoms, and suicidal thoughts, plans and attempts.5 Conversion Practices Guidance for those working with rangatahi and their whānau