The Conversion Therapy Ban - more harm than good?
Liberal Voice for Women will be hosting two psychiatrists to discuss the likely impact of the conversion therapy ban on children with gender dysphoria, and the therapists who treat them, for our next online event at 7pm on Monday 13th December. We feel honoured that Dr Lucy Griffin and Dr Az Hakeem are able to spare the time to talk to us at such short notice and warmly invite you to join us.
Please register here.
Historically, conversion therapy was aimed at changing the sexual orientation of adults who were same-sex attracted. Many treatments were very brutal and the idea of 'conversion therapy' is understandably a highly emotive one. Thankfully, the legislation that gave the practice legitimacy ceased to exist when homosexuality was partially decriminalised in 1967 and Clause 28 was repealed in 2003. There are currently no laws in the UK which discriminate against transgender people. So, is legislation necessary? How widespread is conversion therapy in the UK?
One of the Thoughtful Therapists, Peter Jenkins, has written an article titled Prevalence of Conversion Therapy by Therapists in the UK which concludes that there is no compelling evidence that the practice of conversion therapy is widespread. The organisation Sex Matters also conclude that evidence of it taking place in the UK is scant. In fact, the organisation is so worried about the implications of this bill that it has started a campaign - Press Pause on Conversion Therapy - to encourage people to write to their MPs about it.
The legislation is being rushed through parliament seemingly so that it is passed in time for the Safe To Be Me: Global Equality Conference in June 2022. At the time of writing, the six week consultation period ends on 10 December and draft legislation is due to be unveiled in Spring 2022. Many argue that the rush to get the bill passed has led to the content being muddled and liable to have unintended but alarming consequences. For example children with gender dysphoria will be swept up with this bill and the therapists treating them liable to be criminalised for failing to affirm a child's self-diagnosed trans identity.
Many therapists are concerned the bill will have serious consequences for child safeguarding. The potential consequences for therapists themselves are also extremely worrying. Join us to hear Dr Lucy Griffin and Dr Az Hakeem, two psychiatrists working in the field, discuss their concerns.
SPEAKERS' PROFILES
Dr Lucy Griffin MBBS MRCPsych BSc PGCME (Consultant General Psychiatrist)
I have become concerned about gender medicine ever since I worked in a psychosexual service for ten years where I started to notice growing numbers of young adult patients with Gender Dysphoria.
Since then, I have been instrumental in setting up a large and growing group of concerned medics, actively engaging with medical organisations to ensure guidelines are built on better evidence - I have challenged a number of policies within the following organisations: GMC, Royal College of Psychiatrists, Royal College of GPs, BMA, HEIW, local commissioning groups, Professional Standards Authority.
I currently work on a busy female in-patient unit in Bristol and have an interest in women's mental health.
I have written papers and letters on the topic and am published in the peer review psychiatric literature. I also regularly peer review papers on this subject.
I have advised various Governmental round table events (several Lords events, Labour Women's Declaration, cross parliamentary events, Govt equalities office).
Dr Az Hakeem MBBS MSc FRCPsych (Consultant Psychiatrist & Medical Psychotherapist)
Dr Az Hakeem is unique in that he is the only consultant psychiatrist in psychotherapy who specialises in the application of exploratory psychotherapy to persons suffering from gender dysphoria. More information here.
He worked as a Consultant Psychiatrist in General Psychiatry & Psychotherapy at Camden & Islington and in Forensic Psychotherapy at The Portman Clinic,where he worked for 12 years until 2012. During 2012 he completed a one year sabbatical in Sydney, Australia. He remains a senior lecturer in Psychiatry at the University of New South Wales. In addition to his clinical work, Dr Az Hakeem has worked as a consultant to the media on a number of TV programmes both on and off screen.
In 2011, in recognition of his contribution to Psychiatry and specialist Psychotherapy, Dr Az Hakeem was awarded Fellowship to The Royal College of Psychiatrists.
After over 15 years working in the NHS, Dr Hakeem now works exclusively in private practice. He was a Consultant at The Priory Hospital Roehampton for eight years.
In 2017 Dr Az Hakeem became part of The Shaw Mind Foundation for whom he is a Founder, Professional Patron and Ambassador. The Shaw Mind Foundation is an exciting mental health charity working synergistically with schools and workplaces along with other existing mental health charities to increase awareness and reduce stigma in relation to mental health.