Landmark reforms promising to protect LGBTIQ+ people from harmful ‘conversion’ practices came into effect last week (17 February) putting into place measures aimed at holding perpetrators to account.
The practices, collectively referred to as ‘conversion’ therapies or practices, seek to change or suppress someone’s sexual orientation or gender identity.
Attorney-General, Jaclyn Symes said the Change or Suppression (Conversion) Practices Prohibition Act 2021, which was passed last year, denounced change and suppression practices as false, deceptive and seriously harmful.
“People who subject others to change or suppression practices that cause serious injury can face criminal charges – with tough penalties of up to 10 years’ jail,” Ms Symes said.
“Anyone who advertises change or suppression practices faces a maximum fine of almost $10,000, while taking a person from Victoria to subject them to such a practice which causes injury attracts a maximum penalty of two years’ jail,” she said.
Ms Symes said the Act empowered the Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission (VEOHRC) to accept and act on reports of change or suppression practices from any person.
The Attorney-General said VEOHRC’s civil response scheme would support survivors, address the harm they had endured and educate the public about the ban in order to shift the culture surrounding conversion practices.
Commissioner for VEOHRC, Ro Allen said the Act represented an important step towards preventing and responding to harm still being inflicted on LGBTIQ+ Victorians.
“(The) law makes clear that a person’s sexual orientation or gender identity is not broken and does not need to be fixed,” Commissioner Allen said.
“This directly counters the harmful messages that sit at the core of change and suppression practices,” they said.
“Many Victorians have been involved in bringing about this law – from survivors to advocates and allies, and we can’t thank them enough.”
Commissioner Allen said Australian and international research had repeatedly shown that efforts to change or suppress someone’s sexual orientation or gender identity were both ineffective and harmful.
