Conversion Practices: Why This Is Fundamentally a Safeguarding Issue
This week, the government published its draft Conversion Practices Bill, taking another significant step towards banning abusive conversion practices in England and Wales. The proposed legislation aims to protect LGBT+ people from physical and psychological harm by creating new criminal offences for abusive conversion practices, alongside new civil protection orders designed to safeguard those at risk. It also makes clear that legitimate healthcare, therapeutic support, and open conversations are not intended to be criminalised.
For many, this is an equality issue. For me, it is also a safeguarding issue.
Because at its heart, safeguarding is about protecting people from abuse, harm, coercion and exploitation.
Abuse is abuse
One of the most important principles within safeguarding is that abuse can take many forms and we often think about physical abuse because it leaves visible injuries. But safeguarding professionals know that psychological abuse, emotional abuse, coercive control and manipulation can leave equally devastating and long-lasting effects. Conversion practices are alleged attempts to change or suppress a person's sexual orientation or gender identity through abusive behaviours. These behaviours have been described by survivors as including intimidation, manipulation, threats, isolation, physical violence and psychological pressure. Whether those behaviours occur within families, communities, organisations or other settings, they should concern every safeguarding professional.
Safeguarding means protecting identity as well as safety
Every person deserves to feel safe, respected and accepted for who they are. Safeguarding is not simply about preventing immediate physical harm. It is also about protecting dignity, emotional wellbeing, identity and human rights. When somebody is made to feel that who they are is something that needs to be "fixed", changed or hidden, the impact can be profound. As safeguarding professionals, we understand that emotional harm is real harm.
Looking beyond the legislation
Whilst the draft Bill focuses on creating legal protections, organisations should also use this moment to reflect on their own safeguarding culture.
Ask yourself:
Would someone feel safe disclosing concerns about discrimination or abuse?
Do staff understand the signs of psychological abuse and coercive control?
Are safeguarding policies inclusive and reflective of diverse communities?
Are managers confident in responding to concerns involving LGBT+ individuals?
Does your safeguarding training consider the additional risks that some communities may experience?
Legislation provides protection and culture prevents harm.
Why safeguarding leaders should pay attention
This legislation is likely to affect a wide range of organisations, including schools, colleges, universities, charities, healthcare providers, faith organisations, sports organisations and workplaces.
Safeguarding leaders should take the opportunity to review:
Safeguarding policies and procedures
Staff safeguarding training
Equality, diversity and inclusion strategies
Reporting pathways
Wellbeing support
Safeguarding supervision
Organisational culture
The strongest safeguarding cultures are those where everyone feels psychologically safe enough to speak up, seek support and be themselves without fear of judgement or harm.
Trauma-informed safeguarding matters
Many individuals subjected to abuse experience trauma that continues long after the abusive behaviour has ended. That is why trauma-informed practice remains so important. Professionals should approach disclosures with compassion, curiosity and sensitivity, recognising that fear, shame and mistrust can all affect whether someone feels able to seek help. Creating environments where people feel believed, respected and supported is one of the most powerful safeguarding interventions we can make.
Safeguarding belongs to everyone
Safeguarding has never been limited to protecting one particular group of people. It exists to protect anyone who may be experiencing abuse, neglect, exploitation or harm. The proposed Conversion Practices Bill is another reminder that abuse evolves, legislation develops and safeguarding must continue to evolve alongside it. Our role is not simply to understand the law. It is to recognise harm, respond appropriately and create cultures where every individual feels safe, valued and respected. Because safeguarding is, and always will be, about protecting people.