UK government finally announces draft bill to ban ‘conversion therapy’ for all
The UK government has today announced its intention to publish a draft bill to ban so-called ‘conversion therapy’ for all – though its exact details remain unclear. “We will be publishing a draft bill to ban conversion practices, protecting everyone,” a government spokesperson confirmed on 17 January. “The Bill will go through pre legislative scrutiny in this parliamentary session.
We hope to send it to a Joint Committee for scrutiny and will work with the Liaison Committee accordingly. “There are clearly issues that are not fully resolved.
We are determined that legislation will not cause harm to children and young adults experiencing gender related distress by inadvertently impacting on legitimate conversations parents or clinicians may have with their children. “Pre legislative scrutiny exists to prevent this, and other unintended consequences, by utilising stakeholder expertise and input from parliamentarians.” Exact details of government’s proposed ‘conversion therapy’ ban are yet to be announced beyond the promise it will protect “everyone”.
Whether or not it will be fully comprehensive or include any loopholes (religious or otherwise) that allow these practices to continue in the UK is yet to be determined. This is a breaking story.
