SA conversion therapy ban comes into effect
A state government ban on LGBTQA+ conversion therapy comes into effect today, with penalties of up to five years in jail applicable.
New laws that will help to prevent LGBTQA+ people in South Australia from being subjected to what survivor-advocates describe as “dehumanising and traumatising practices” come into effect in South Australia today.
The laws were developed by the state government and make conversion therapy practices illegal.
Conversion therapy is where members of the LBGTQA+ community are targeted by individuals or groups seeking to either change or suppress a person’s sexual orientation or gender identity.
In South Australia, those who practice conversion therapy and cause serious harm face up to five years in jail.
Further, those who take someone interstate – or arrange for a person to be taken interstate – for a conversion practice could be jailed for up to three years, fined $15,000, or both.
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Complaints can now be made to Equal Opportunity SA if a person provides or delivers, or arranges to provide or deliver, a conversion practice to an individual.
Discussions between children and parents, as well as general expressions of religious belief and religious teachings, do not constitute conversion practices under the new laws.
The laws were modelled on New South Wales legislation, with SA joining Victoria, NSW and the ACT in banning the practice outright. Queensland has a partial ban in health settings while Western Australia has committed to reforms.
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Adelaide-based survivor-advocate Jace Reh said the reforms were “another important step forward to show that our lives are worth living as authentically as we want”.
“What happened to me was unacceptable and should have never happened,” Reh said.
“No longer can people in positions of power tell us that who we are is wrong and now we can take the time to heal.”
Another survivor-advocate based in Adelaide, Megan Barnes, said the “existence of this law is a testament to the strength and bravery of survivors who have stepped up and spoken out, and a step in the right direction that will hopefully open up pathways to enable recovery and healing to take place”.
“This law will help to prevent future victims of these dehumanising and traumatising practices, but we need to ensure there is adequate crisis support in place, suitable resources and recovery measures available for those currently suffering,” Barnes said.
Attorney-General Kyam Maher said the penalties that can now be imposed “reflect the serious nature of this type of offending and the devastating, long-lasting consequences of this abhorrent practice”.
“Sexual orientation or gender identity does not constitute a disorder, disease or shortcoming and does not need to be ‘changed’,” he said.
“Employing practices to supposedly ‘straighten’ someone out, or get them to ignore or repress their identity is not only ineffective in its aim but can cause serious harm to those it targets.”
For support, call QLIFE from 3pm to midnight daily on 1800 184 527 or contact Thorne Harbour Health’s LGBTQIA+ Mental Health Service.
