Insidious conversion practices still ongoing today, new report shows

A new study by Galop using anonymised case notes from its frontline support services reveals the stark lived reality of LGBT+ victims and survivors who have been subjected to conversion practices. Humanists UK is alarmed by the report’s findings, and says the recently published draft Bill for England and Wales, alongside the Private Member’s Bill introduced in Northern Ireland, must deliver comprehensive protection for all LGBT+ people, without loopholes for religion or supposed ‘consent’.

Conversion practices remain a present-day threat

Galop’s report, Still Not Illegal, draws evidence from 195 cases collected over three years, from 2022 to 2025. In some cases, the abuse was still taking place when the victim or survivor contacted Galop. The study shows how attempts to change, ‘cure’, or suppress a person’s sexual orientation or gender identity are often concealed within broader patterns of coercive control or religious pressure. It demonstrates the urgent need for a comprehensive legislative ban on conversion practices as current harms experienced by LGBT+ people remain insufficiently recognised in law.

Of the 195 cases analysed, the report found that:

• 68% of the conversion practices were current, recent, or ongoing
• 76% were perpetrated or initiated by family members, including a parent or parents in 63% of cases
• 81% involved coercive or controlling conduct, including psychological abuse, threats, attempted forced marriage, surveillance, or restrictions on victims’ lives
• 27% (52 of the 195 cases) involved religion-based practices, including coerced prayer, religious ‘aversion’ practices, and exorcisms

Religious pressure and coercion

Of the 52 cases that consisted of religion-based conversion practices, 45 cases also involved at least one other form of conversion practice. 42 of the religion-based cases also involved coercive and controlling behaviour and 15 also involved physical violence. Most religion-based conversion practices were enforced or facilitated by parents, sometimes acting alongside religious leaders, members of a faith community, or other close relatives. Twenty-three cases took place in the victim’s home, while 16 occurred in a religious setting and five involved a person being taken abroad. In 33 cases, the abuse was current or had happened recently when the victim contacted Galop. 

The case notes show that religion-based conversion practices can range from apparently informal interventions to severe physical and psychological abuse. Victims described being forced to watch sermons about LGBT+ people becoming heterosexual, compelled to memorise Bible verses to suppress thoughts about people of the same sex, and subjected to repeated prayer intended to ‘deliver’ or ‘cleanse’ them.

The examples in Galop’s report show that conversion practices may consist of either isolated acts or sustained patterns of intimidation, punishment, or religious pressure carried out by people upon whom the victim depends for housing, financial support, family connection, or a sense of community. 

Others reported being physically restrained during exorcisms, struck with religious texts, forced to fast, or subjected to painful rituals intended to remove supposed demonic influences. One survivor told Galop that she had been pinned down while scripture was read over her. Another reported being made to lie down while needles were inserted into her back in an attempt to ‘get the devil out’.

Faith to Faithless is a programme of Humanists UK that works to raise awareness of, and address the issues faced by, those who leave high-control religious groups. Deciding to leave a high-control religion can often mean rejection from your family and community, with little understanding of where to turn next. ‘Apostates’, as these people are sometimes called, may end up homeless, isolated, and at risk of abuse.

Faith to Faithless Support and Advocacy Services Manager Donna Craine welcomed the report, saying:

‘The report’s findings of coercive control resonate strongly with the experiences shared by many Faith to Faithless service users, particularly the ways this can be exercised through family pressure, religious authority, isolation, threats, and fear of rejection. LGBT+ people who leave high-control religious groups can face intersecting challenges as they seek to accept and live openly as themselves while also navigating the loss of faith, family, and community.

‘Galop’s Still Not Illegal report shows how religious abuse can be hidden behind claims of care, guidance, or concern, making it all the more important that support services and public bodies are equipped to recognise these patterns and respond effectively. A legislative ban on conversion practices is one important way to address this abuse.’