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: 7th May, 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.