Conversion practices have been declared harmful in Aotearoa and internationally by: • New Zealand Psychological Society6 • the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists (RANZCP)7 • the NZ College of Clinical Psychologists8 • the New Zealand Association of Counsellors9 and other clinical peak bodies. A US study of young people’s experiences reported that those who had experienced conversion practices were twice as likely to seriously consider or attempt suicide than those who had not.10 Research published in Aotearoa in 202311 found young people experiencing conversion practices: • had increased frequency of non-suicidal self-injury • had double the risk of planning suicide • had triple the risk of attempting suicide. People who have experienced conversion practices have often faced, and will continue to face, abusive relationships within their communities, post-traumatic stress disorder, major traumatic incidents and a harmful accumulation of smaller traumas.12 For young people, leaving their family or community, or even leaving conversion practices themselves, may be impossible. They may need to continue in harmful environments for some time before leaving becomes a realistic option. Adults in their lives, such as youth workers or educators, may find themselves in a support role during this time. For more information, see Supporting young people experiencing conversion practices, further on in this resource. An unwelcome discovery reported by many survivors is that stopping conversion practices is a lengthy and difficult process.13 Immediately after leaving the sudden lack of a support network can lead to increased risk of poor mental health and thoughts of suicide. Young people are at particular risk of housing and financial instability. Conversion Practices Prohibition Legislation Act 2022 The Conversion Practices Prohibition Legislation Act 2022 (the Act) prohibits any action to change or suppress a person’s sexuality or gender. It is unlawful to perform a conversion practice, to arrange for a conversion practice to be performed, or to advertise a conversion practice. In addition to conversion practices being unlawful some are a criminal offence. It is a criminal offence to: • perform a conversion practice on someone under 18-years-old, or someone who lacks the capacity to understand the nature, and foresee the consequences, of decisions relating to their health or welfare14 • perform a conversion practice on a person of any age where that causes serious harm.15 Conversion practices are still unlawful even when a person seeks them out for themselves. Consent from someone undergoing a conversion practice is not a defence to providing them.16 In cases where a person has sought conversion practices for themselves, they are not party to the offence – which means they cannot be prosecuted.17 33 The Act also amends the Human Rights Act 1993 so that conversion practices are within scope of the civil redress pathway and other functions of the Commission18 which means it can: • provide support and information to survivors and to those who are consciously or unconsciously contributing to conversion practices • help to mediate and resolve disputes related to conversion practices • help to work out if something may be an offence and provide support for next steps such as reporting to Police or the Health and Disability Commissioner. Providing there is no intention to change or suppress an individual’s sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression it is not a conversion practice for19: • a parent to or guardian to respectfully discuss sexuality or gender with their child – including offering advice and guidance or expressing a belief or religious principle • a youth leader to teach, pray or provide pastoral care for a young person. Conversion Practices Guidance for those working with rangatahi and their whānau