Statement on Conversion Therapy & Practices
The Society of Behaviour Analysis Aotearoa New Zealand respects and supports gender and sexual diversity, and expressions of individuality. We reject and condemn the use of conversion therapy and practices that promote harm, oppression of the LGBTQIA+ community and violate an individual’s human rights.
Conversion therapy is any action used to try to suppress and systematically invalidate someone’s sexuality, sexual orientation, and/or gender identity. In the 1970s, conversion therapy was used by some individuals within society and behaviour science was used in an attempt to enhance conversion therapy and other aberrant practices. Prominent members of our community rejected this use of our science then and our society unequivocally rejects it now.
Conversion therapy has since been scientifically disproven and rejected by the behavioural science field. Today our field specifies that our intervention practices promote an individual’s autonomy and human rights, as outlined by the United Nations’ Declaration on Human Rights and the New Zealand Human Rights Commission.
Key Questions and Answers
Do we reject conversion therapy?
Yes. We want to promote gender diversity, individuality, and autonomy for our clients.
Are all behaviour analysts against conversion therapy?
Yes. The main association for behaviour analysts world-wide has released a statement denouncing conversation therapy and associated practices. https://www.abainternational.org/about-us/policies-and-positions/policy-statement-on-conversion-therapy-and-practices,-2021.aspx
How do we ensure we uphold individual autonomy?
If you would like to know more about assent-based practice, our code of ethics, or how we use behavioural science ourselves to grow and build our communities, please visit the educational resources on our website (to be filled in once we have a website).
What should I do if I think someone is using conversion practices?
Report the concern to a professional regulatory board and seek help for that person (e.g., The Psychologists’ Board NZ, New Zealand Ministry of Health, The New Zealand Human Rights Commission).
https://psychologistsboard.org.nz/for-the-public/
https://www.hrc.co.nz/about/contact/
References
Association for Behavior Analysis International (2021). Statement on Conversion Therapy
and Practices. Retrieved from https://www.abainternational.org/about-us/policies-and-positions/policy-statement-on-conversion-therapy-and-practices,-2021.aspx
Capriotti, M. R., & Donaldson, J. M. (2021). “Why don't behavior analysts do something?” Behavior analysts' historical, present, and potential future actions on sexual and gender minority issues. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis.
Human Rights Campaign. Policy and position statements on conversion therapy (2021). Retrieved from
https://www.hrc.org/resources/policy-and-position-statements-on-conversion-therapy
Mental Health Foundation New Zealand (2018) Rainbow communities, mental health and addictions – a submission to the Government Inquiry into Mental Health and Addiction – Oranga Tāngata, Oranga Whānau https://www.mentalhealth.org.nz/assets/Our-Work/policy-advocacy/Rainbow-communitiesand-mental-health-submission-to-the-Inquiry-into-Mental-Health-and-Addiction-08062018.pdf
New Zealand Human Rights Commission (2008).
Statement by New Zealand Psychological Society (2021).
New Zealand Psychologists Board. (2019). Best practice guideline: Working with sex, sexuality, and gender diverse clients.
http://www.psychologistsboard.org.nz/cms_show_download.php?id=594
Society for the Experimental Analysis of Behavior, & LeBlanc, L. A. (2020). Editor's Note: Societal changes and expression of concern about Rekers and Lovaas'(1974) Behavioral Treatment of Deviant Sex‐Role Behaviors in a Male Child. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 53(4), 1830-1836.
United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights (1984). Retrieved from
https://www.un.org/en/about-us/universal-declaration-of-human-rights