The government will make it a criminal offence to subject members of the LGBT+ community to conversion practices designed to forcibly change someone’s sexual orientation or transgender identity.
Conversion practices, often involving physical, sexual, economic and psychological abuse, are still happening in 2026 because of a series of legal loopholes that allow perpetrators to escape justice, the Office for Equality and Opportunity and Olivia Bailey MP said in a joint statement.
Victims of conversion practices have recounted stories that range from beatings and rape to verbal threats, manipulation and exorcisms. However, the lack of a legal definition for abusive conversion practices makes prosecution challenging. Existing legislation covers domestic violence, coercive control and communications offences but does not adequately address the unique nature of abusive conversion.
The draft Conversion Practices Bill would criminalise abusive conversion practices that cause serious harm, alarm or distress to the victim, as well as encouraging or assisting an abusive conversion practice performed outside England and Wales.
It also creates new civil conversion practice protection orders and breach offences similar to protection orders for forced marriage and female genital mutilation, with pre-emptive protections. Anyone found guilty of conducting abusive conversion practices could face an unlimited fine, a custodial sentence of up to five years, or both.
The bill also includes safeguards for legitimate health care and therapy, with “robust thresholds” to protect open conversations and free speech.
Olivia Bailey, minister for equalities, said: “Conversion practices are driven by the false belief that being LGBT+ is shameful and can be forcibly changed. No-one should face abuse just because of who they are. That’s why we are delivering on our manifesto commitment to ban abusive conversion practices. Legal loopholes have left LGBT+ people vulnerable to these harmful acts which is why we must legislate.”
Dame Nicole Jacobs, the domestic abuse commissioner for England and Wales, added: “Subjecting a family member or partner to harm or coercing them to change who they are is domestic abuse and it must be stopped.
“I’m pleased to see this draft bill brought forward so we can finally ban these deeply harmful practices, which have damaged too many people’s lives. I look forward to continuing to work with Ministers, as this legislation progresses to ensure it delivers the much-needed protections for all LGBT+ victims and survivors.”
The bill does not seek to criminalise expressing beliefs about LGBT+ identities, nor is it seeking to ban explorative conversations and questioning about someone’s identity. A high threshold for criminality is included to ensure only acts that are abusive, seeking to change someone’s identity or create real harm to the person will be in scope.
The bill also includes exemptions for legitimate healthcare and ensures that healthcare professionals, therapists and counsellors can continue their work to support patients and engage in free and open conversations about sexuality and transgender identity.
