1 in 10 LGBTQ+ people in UK subjected to exorcism or rape as form of ‘conversion’ therapy

A new study, commissioned by LGBTQ+ charity Stonewall, has revealed the “alarming” scale of so-called conversion therapy that still remains legal in the UK.

Conversation therapy incorporates various physically, emotionally and psychologically abusive practices that can supposedly change someone’s gender and/or sexuality. This can include berating or beating, being forced to pray as a form of healing, and “corrective rape”.

The practices have been discredited by all major health and psychological organisations in the UK.

The government first pledged to ban conversion therapy in 2018 when then prime minister Theresa May backed trans-inclusive legislation. However, successive Tory government’s failed to outlaw the practices. Following Keir Starmer’s general election victory, Labour said they too were committed to making it illegal.