Conversion practices in Aotearoa: Developing a holistic response to spiritual abuse Webinar
09/05/2024
Content Warning: Discussion of sensitive issues related to abuse from conversion practices in religious settings.
NZSL provided.
The panel discussed the findings of research into support identified by survivors of conversion practices in religious settings in Aotearoa as needed before, during and after exiting these practices. The research was released on 2 May 2024.
Facilitator: Andre Afamasaga (Lived Experience expert and former manager at Te Kāhui Tika Tangata Human Rights Commission)
Panelists: Dr Michael Roguski (Lead Researcher from Kaitiaki Research and Evaluation Ltd), Matt Langworthy (Lived Experience advisor and former manager for the Commission’s Conversion Practices Response Service) and Hera Clarke (Commissary for Reconciliation and Restoration at the Anglican Church of Aotearoa and Polynesia)
Link to research report on PLOS ONE journal:
https://journals.plos.org/plosone/art…
Link on Human Rights Commission website Summary of research in alternate formats
https://tikatangata.org.nz/resources-…
New study highlighting support required for survivors of religious conversion practices w/ Lead Researcher, Doctor Michael Roguski and Lived Experience and human rights advisor, Andre Afamasaga.
07/05/2024
In 2022, the Conversion Practices Prohibition Legislation Act amended the Human Rights Act 1993 to make conversion practices unlawful in Aotearoa New Zealand.
A new study, ‘Conversion practices in Aotearoa New Zealand: Developing a holistic response to spiritual abuse’, highlights support needed for people wanting to escape conversion practices in faith-based settings.
Led by Director of Kaitiaki Research and Evaluation and Adjunct Professor at Victoria University, Doctor Michael Roguski, the study identified interventions required to ensure those experiencing religious conversion practices have a “pipeline to safety”.
Producer Sofia Roger Williams spoke to Roguski about the study, beginning the interview asking him about his research process.
She also spoke to Lived Experience and human rights advisor, Andre Afamasaga, about how Te Kāhui Tika Tangata, the Human Rights Commission, provides support to survivors of conversion practices and the importance of this [from 12:00].
She asked him firstly to introduce himself and describe what his role was at Te Kāhui Tika Tangata.
