Supporting young people experiencing conversion practices Talking with young people People that are experiencing conversion practices, or that have experienced them in the past, often struggle to talk about their experiences and might not know if what was done to them was a conversion practice. Steps at disclosure If a child or young person discloses to you they are experiencing something that could be a conversion practice, immediately create a safe space for them including: • letting them know you are there for them, and that you accept them and their LGBTQIA+ identity • letting them know you will continue to be there as a source of support and someone to talk to • validating their feelings about the experience, and telling them that conversion practices are harmful to mental health because they undermine someone’s identity and generally involve control and misuse of authority • not forcing them to do anything straight away, but rather communicating that you are available to work with them to decide some next steps • talking with them about their immediate safety (at home, at school, or in another context) and addressing any urgent needs, with their consent • involving the police, if the young person is at immediate risk of hurting themselves or someone else, or if they are at immediate risk of being hurt by someone else. Evidence has shown one of the keys to recovery from conversion practices for LGBTQIA+ people is access to a safe person39 who will listen without judgement and accept them for who they are. It is also someone that will respect their privacy and safety, and not pass on any information without permission. Steps after disclosure After a disclosure of conversion practices next steps to discuss with the young person include bringing in professional support, such as an affirming mental health practitioner. This must be done in collaboration with the young person as it may not be appropriate or safe to step in and make these arrangements. 77 In complicated situations, escalate your concerns as there should be a clear documented process for managing disclosures and harmful environments. Some people who have experienced conversion practices may not be able to, or may not want to, leave the environment where it happened. It is important for someone supporting a survivor to avoid making assumptions that a survivor can or wants to leave their whānau, faith or community. Taking the time to properly understand a survivor’s goals is important. Depending on their age, a survivor may not have full autonomy of choice and attending religious services or events may be a family expectation. In these situations, the ongoing support of affirming individuals is key. Talking with families Only speak to a young person’s family about their experience if the child or young person has given you permission to do so. If the conversion practices are occurring in the family, or if it is perpetuating conversion ideology, their safety could be at risk. Families that support conversion practices likely believe they doing the right thing for their loved one. When the time is right, share information with them about the harm caused by conversion practices, including the risks of self-injury and suicidal thoughts. You might also refer to research that shows family influence is significant, and when family members suggest conversion practices the harm increases.40 A useful topic to cover in discussions with families is underlying values, whether they are cultural, religious, or both. There may be a way to reinterpret these values, or other ways to find and build on common ground. Stories from people in similar situations, in particular from other survivors’ families, are useful. The list of resources at the end of this guidance can help with this. Information about the Conversion Practices Prohibition Legislation Act 2022 also needs to be shared so everyone is aware of the legal environment and can make informed choices. Conversion Practices Guidance for those working with rangatahi and their whānau