Today the organisation rolls out the National Conversion Therapy Helpline
WORDS BY NIC CROSARA
Galop is an LGBT+ anti-abuse charity that works regularly with LGBT+ victims of abuse and violence. All of its services are run by members of the LGBT+ community, providing a safe space for victims to come forward and seek help. Today the organisation introduces its new National Conversion Therapy Helpline to support victims and survivors of “conversion therapy”.
CEO Leni Morris said: “Being LGBT+ is not a disease, and therefore there is no cure … What so-called ‘conversion therapies’ do achieve is serious psychologic and emotional, and sometimes physical, trauma to the victims and, for many victims, the repercussions are life-long”.
“Conversion therapy” relates to any practice which tries to alter, suppress or “cure” an LGBT+ individual’s orientation or gender identity. This could be through verbal, psychological, physical or sexual abuse. The Government Equalities Office’s 2018 National LGBT Survey showed that 5% of LGBT+ people have been offered or threatened with these practices with 2% being put through them.
In May, the government announced plans to ban conversion therapy. Today the government is launching a public consultation on the ban itself, before legislation begins. The ban is welcomed by the LGBT+ community, but there are concerns that the consultation will be traumatising for victims and survivors.
Galop CEO Leni Morris comments: “We’re launching our National Conversion Therapy Helpline to support the community and ensure that there is a safety net for victims as this national conversation continues.”
For those who require this service
Galop’s National Conversion Therapy Helpline will be available Monday-Friday 10:00am – 4:00pm by phone (0800 130 3335), and via email.
For those wanting to support the helpline
For those wanting to support the helpline, there is a Crowdfunder open for donations to help support the costs of the service, as it is being set up with no dedicated funding.
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