Have a clear written policy and procedure to follow in instances of disclosure. This will help to ensure everyone’s safety and can be easily referred to when knowledge is limited. Creating these policies and procedures collaboratively with people in your religious community can also help to build compassion and capability. See the end of this document for resources. Survivors may or may not wish to maintain a connection with their religious community. You can represent a supportive version of a religious community which can be healing for the survivor. Pastoral care for survivors Professional mental health support Conversion practices affect survivors’ mental health, both during the practices and immediately after. Be prepared to offer tailored pastoral care to survivors. Recovery from conversion practices is seldom linear and will likely continue throughout an individual’s life. Access to an LGBTQIA+ accepting counsellor or psychologist has been shown to be a key factor in recovery for survivors.xx It must be noted that pastoral care has been used as a channel for conversion practices in some settings. Because of this, there is a need to provide care that genuinely affirms people as LGBTQIA+. This means protecting and supporting their identity as well as meeting their spiritual and mental health needs in a way that affirms their experience and the harm caused. Shame is often a significant factor in a survivor’s story. When conversion practices are happening, a person may feel shame about their identity or about not being able to change. Even after exiting conversion practices, a survivor may feel shame for participating especially if they also had a role in performing conversion practices on themselves or others. As with all pastoral care for people affected by shame, survivors need gentle aroha and kōrero whakamana (uplifting words). Pastoral carers without relevant qualifications and experience in affirming support for LGBTQIA+ people should raise the importance of referral to another service by offering to help them find a suitable and affirming counsellor or practice. It is unlikely a faithbased counsellor will be appropriate. Support also needs to be culturally competent and responsive. Many survivors have experienced mental health professionals who are uncomfortable talking about religious beliefs or cultural practices they are not familiar with, or who have assumed they will leave their religion or culture. Having someone who is educated and open to gently talking about spirituality and culture can be valuable to a person’s recovery. Make sure you are open with survivors about what you can and cannot do and why. As much as possible have conversations on an equal footing. It may also be better to meet at a neutral venue rather than a pastoral office or church building. Survivors may feel nervous or unsafe opening up about their experience to someone who represents a religious institution given the potential negative associations with their experience. Approach the situation with empathy and respect for the survivor’s experiences and boundaries. 77 Conversion Practices Guidance for people working in religious communities