Today, BBC News put out a long article detailing how many people were subjected to Electric Shock Aversion Therapy from 1965 to 1973.

It says the therapy, which took place in NHS hospitals, was intended to change their sexuality and gender identity, causing much harm. The article says that some of these people also did not give informed consent.

Aversive therapy is indeed unhelpful – but also irrelevant

Electric shock therapy is a form of aversion therapy which is intended to link a desire (like same-sex attraction) with pain, provided by the shock.

The article is perfectly justified in pointing out that these attempts at treatment were ineffective and harmful in the long run. Our FAQ about the subject has made clear for years that we reject aversive methods.

But the BBC article quickly jumps from these past mistakes to current plans to ban so-called ‘conversion therapy’.

Near the top of the article, it says: “The British Psychological Society has abandoned its use of ESAT but conversion practices in the UK are still not illegal.”

And lower down it directly pivots from forced electric shocks to the current calls for a ban:

In 2017, NHS England and the Royal College of Psychiatrists pledged to stop practising conversion therapy, including electric shock treatment.

“Yet conversion practices still remain legal in the UK and continue to take place in private homes, churches, and through some counsellors or therapists.

According to campaigner Saba Ali: “People are still tortured and hurt in the name of conversion therapy.”

The government has promised to draft a bill to end conversion practices by the end of this year, but it has not happened as yet.”

The problem is this: no one whatsoever in the UK is doing or supporting these practices. The stories the BBC tells are utterly irrelevant to the political issue at hand.

I’ve closely followed all the therapists and counsellors who have sought to help people with unwanted same-sex attraction or gender distress for over 15 years. I have never seen any of them support aversive methods or coercion – quite the opposite.

You don’t have to take my word for it either. When the Conservative government under Boris Johnson was planning to ban ‘conversion therapy’ it commissioned research from Coventry University to understand its present-day extent. Even though the research was biased towards a ban, the report was clear: “Aversive techniques were not reported by interviewees.”

None of the 30 people spoken to had experienced aversive techniques. No one advocates for it. It was NHS hospitals that previously did it – but the BBC article misleads the reader to think it’s still going on today, using it to build support for a ban.

Isn’t the BBC meant to be politically neutral?

The NHS is still converting people

The bad mistakes of the NHS in the 1960s are, in fact, far more closely related to the quack gender medicine still being practised today.

It was only two weeks ago that a new UK trial would test out puberty blockers on gender-questioning children. These drugs have all kinds of permanent, harmful effects on how their bodies develop, but the NHS is still attempting to ‘convert’ confused children with them.

No puberty blockers, cross-sex hormones or reassignment surgery will ever convert a boy into a girl or vice versa – it’ll only harm them and affirm them in a lie.

Conversion therapy bans would actually cause harm

There is ample evidence, even if it is much-ignored, that talking therapy and forms of pastoral support are generally helpful to people who want to reduce their same-sex attraction.

Even when unsuccessful, it does not lead to harm.

Dr Andre van Mol wrote in 2021 that a proposed ban in fact “puts already at-risk youth at further risk by prohibiting what the child and family need most.”

Just think about it. Imagine you’re a teenager with unwanted same-sex attraction. A conversion therapy ban means that no one is allowed to try to help you to diminish those feelings, or not act on them. No one’s even allowed to tell you how you might go about reducing those feelings, because that is also banned.

What are you most likely to try?

My guess is that you are going to try hurting yourself when those feelings bubble up. You will punish yourself and try the exact kinds of aversive approaches that this BBC article rightly decries.

A conversion therapy/practices ban would almost certainly drive more people to these kinds of wrongheaded attempts.

Complain

I believe that this article is materially misleading the public on a matter of real importance.

The BBC has long suppressed stories of those who are grateful to have moved out of gay or trans identities, but this is a step further.

Please consider making a complaint to the BBC to stop them poisoning the public debate on ‘conversion therapy’ with this misleading portrayal.

Editor’s Note: ‘Conversation Therapy Bans Are A Trojan’

By design, to the unsaved world, the words “conversation therapy ban” bring to mind shock therapies and other disturbing images—which have long been contrary to the law. However, Christians recognize that the intention behind these bans is just as the name suggests: placing a legal roadblock in the way of sharing the Gospel and Biblical truth with those who desire to leave the homosexual lifestyle and embrace God’s design.

In Canada, the “conversation therapy ban,” which passed without a single vote in opposition, placed a law on the books which effectively outlaws the teaching of Biblical sexuality, referring to such teachings a “myth.” Similar laws have been passed in many Western societies and US states. While many argued that the bans had no intention of targeting Christians, Matthew Grech in Malta became the first Christian to face criminal charges of “conversion therapy” in 2023. Grech is facing up to five years in prison for simply sharing his testimony on a radio program describing how he left homosexuality and became a follower of Jesus.

Ken Ham, the Founder and CEO of Answers In Genesis and the Ark Encounter, based in Kentucky, has long warned that conversation therapy bans are a trojan horse seeking to target the freedoms of Christians.

“For years, conservative politicians and Christian commentators (including me) have been saying these ‘conversion therapy bans’ are ‘Trojan horses’ that pave the way for the bridling of free speech and the criminalization of those who believe and act on biblical principles,” Ham highlighted.

“As believers, we must be prepared to continue sharing biblical truth regardless of what the culture around us says or threatens,” he urged. “Teaching God’s Word is not abusive or dangerous—the gospel is the power of God unto salvation (Romans 1:16). It is the gospel and the truth of God’s Word, with the power of the Holy Spirit, that free us from our slavery to sin (Romans 6:6) and makes us a new creation in Christ Jesus (2 Corinthians 5:17).”

“The time is coming when speaking biblical truth regarding sexuality will be illegal,” he warned. “But we must love people enough to continue to contend for the faith (Jude 1:3), making disciples (Matthew 28:19), as we do the King’s business until he returns (Luke 19:13). Are we courageous enough to boldly state as Peter and the apostles did: ‘We must obey God rather than men’ (Acts 5:29)?”