Story perspectives

UK Government to Investigate and Ban Conversion Practices

12/5/2025

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Summary

Story summary

Between 1965 and 1973, over 250 individuals underwent Electric Shock Aversion Therapy in NHS hospitals to change sexual orientation and gender identity.
Survivors including Jeremy Gavins (survivor) and Pauline Collier (survivor) described severe trauma.
The British Psychological Society has abandoned ESAT, but conversion practices remain legal.
The government plans to investigate ESAT use and draft a bill to ban conversion practices, with Olivia Bailey (Minister for Equalities) acknowledging the inhumanity.

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Story summary

Between 1965 and 1973, over 250 individuals underwent Electric Shock Aversion Therapy in NHS hospitals to change sexual orientation and gender identity.
Survivors including Jeremy Gavins (survivor) and Pauline Collier (survivor) described severe trauma.
The British Psychological Society has abandoned ESAT, but conversion practices remain legal.
The government plans to investigate ESAT use and draft a bill to ban conversion practices, with Olivia Bailey (Minister for Equalities) acknowledging the inhumanity.