Tory MP lists prayer alongside rape in proposed ‘conversion therapy’ ban

A Conservative MP has listed prayer alongside grotesque acts such as ‘corrective rape’ as she called on the Government to ban so-called conversion therapy.

Writing for The House magazine, Alicia Kearns, MP for Rutland and Melton, said the “fraudulent and abhorrent practice” must be criminalised, as existing laws do not enable prosecution where no physical harm has been caused.

She said any attempt to stop someone from expressing their chosen gender identity or sexual orientation is ‘conversion therapy’, which she said “can range from ‘therapy’ and prayer sessions, to aversive treatments like electroshocks or even ‘corrective’ rape”.

Court orders

Kearns said a ban had to include “not only conversion therapy to change sexual orientation” but also “non-consensual attempts to prevent someone from expressing their own identity”.

She made it clear that she wants a ban to include parents seeking to protect their children.

She said legislation should include a power for family courts to stop parents from trying to prevent their children being given harmful ‘sex swap’ drugs, and that it should be a legal requirement for people to report “known or suspected cases of ‘conversion’ therapy”.

While she said provisions had to be made “for the complex discussions around faith and sexuality”, she emphasised that she does not want such discussions to hold up the legislative process.

‘Outrageous’

Ciarán Kelly, a Deputy Director at The Christian Institute, said: “It is outrageous to suggest that praying with someone is in any way comparable to rape.

“Christians everywhere naturally oppose the abusive practices mentioned. But they are already illegal.

“Banning prayer and pastoral care of people with unwanted same-sex attraction or gender confusion would be unacceptable.

“And parents everywhere will be horrified at the prospect of being threatened with a court order for warning their kids off damaging puberty blockers”.

Christian conversion

“The activists’ shocking game plan is out in the open for all to see.

“They want to exploit public revulsion at claims of ‘corrective rape’ in order to criminalise fundamental Christian practices, and make it illegal for parents to protect their kids.

“It is alarming to see an MP driving such a radical agenda.”