The Commission is available to help Other resources Concerns about the rights, safety and wellbeing of children and young people can be taken to the Commission’s complaints and dispute resolution processes. The Commission will consider consent, and whether a child or young person is capable of making an informed, balanced decision. Where they cannot consent, the consent of a guardian may be necessary. The Commission can provide detailed information about the handling of complaints on the behalf of children and young people. The Commission has developed guidance for people working in religious communities. This may be helpful to people and communities navigating the tension of adhering to a faith practice while also better affirming their LGBTQIA+ members. Civil pathway Environment The Commission can support survivors of conversion practices with a dispute resolution process. Mediation is free, confidential and protects the rights of everyone involved. A tikanga Māori-based process is also available, as are referrals to a variety of support resources and agencies. • Push back on harmful unconscious bias with a gentle curiosity approach. Be careful to respect culture while doing so • Bring people on a journey rather than shutting them down • Centre difficult conversations on common ground, such as shared interest in someone’s wellbeing • Address personal beliefs and biases Common outcomes of dispute resolution processes are an apology, an acknowledgement of the impact of the behaviour, agreement not to do the same thing in the future, a training programme or financial compensation. If mediation is not appropriate or does not result in a satisfactory outcome an application can be made to the Office of Human Rights Proceedings for free legal assistance. To access this pathway contact 0800 496 877 or infoline@hrc.co.nz. Further information on the complaint process in available on the Commission’s website at www.tikatangata.org.nz. Next steps for organisations and institutes The following suggestions have been offered by professionals in the youth work and education sectors we have engaged with. Capability • Support youth workers to create spaces that are safe • Know and build relationships with local rainbow organisations • Arrange deliberate and focussed training • Reach out across regions to coordinate capabilitybuilding efforts • Engage with the multitude of resources available online (see the next section) Criminal Pathway If a complaint meets the legal threshold for criminal investigation, survivors may choose to pursue a criminal complaint with police. Making such a complaint can be done by: • • calling 111 if someone is in immediate danger or a crime or incident is happening now calling 105 or using the 105 online form if an incident has already happened and no one is in immediate danger. Police have relationships with groups such as Victim Support who provide services to help the survivor if their complaint is progressed. Through this pathway the person who performed the conversion practice could face a prison term of up to three years. 88 Organisation • Create policies that protect the rights and wellbeing of LGBTQIA+ children and young people in your organisation or institution. Review the code of practice against these • Know the process: create tailored processes and procedures for dealing with disclosures of conversion practices, and include this in onboarding or health and safety activities • Embed prevention of conversion practices into curriculum • Engage in regular professional self-reflection at personal and organisational levels. Conversion Practices Guidance for those working with rangatahi and their whānau