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Bill to ban conversion therapy welcomed by LIV
The Law Institute of Victoria has thrown its support behind a proposed bill to ban cruel, harmful conversion practices and support survivors with their recovery.
Naomi Neilson
Practices that attempt to force a person to change sexual orientation or gender identity are expected to be banned across Victoria under the Change or Suppression Practices Prohibition Bill 2020. The Law Institute (LIV) is in support of the bill, provided a criminal penalty and civil response scheme to ensure claims of charge or therapy are dealt with.
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“Prohibiting these practices, and introducing penalties, is important in ensuring LGBT+ Victorians are safe within our community,” president Sam Pandya said.
The bill will make it an offence for a person to intentionally engage in the suppressions and change practices directed towards another person that cause serious injury. Each offence may carry with it a fine and a sentence of up to 10 years’ behind bars.
New powers will also be granted to the Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission to respond to individuals affected by the practices. The LIV has supported this move but has urged that the government ensure appropriate resources are given to the commission to effectively investigate systematic and serious practices.
The LIV has welcomed the anti-discrimination protections included in the bill, including amending the definitions of “gender identity” and “sexual orientation” to be more related to the Equal Opportunity Act 2020 (Vic). The addition of the term “sex characteristics”, as a protected attribute, provides protection for intersex Victorians.
“LIV believes equality is paramount in our legal framework and that this Bill provides this for LGBT+ Victorians,” the LIV statement read.
