Source: Human Rights Commission
You can find detailed information about making a complaint through the Commission here.
There are two pathways a complaint can take – through the civil pathway with a free, confidential dispute resolution process handled by the Commission, and/or through the criminal pathway managed by New Zealand Police.
If you believe you’ve experienced conversion practices and you’re not sure whether to speak to the Commission or Police, both can provide more information.
Each organisation will also help refer you to other agencies if your situation may be better served elsewhere, while ensuring you retain complete oversight of the process. You can make a complaint under the Conversion Practices Prohibition Legislation Act 2022 and also lay criminal charges with the Police or begin proceedings through the courts about the same matter. You don’t have to choose one or the other.
Referrals will be done with your full knowledge and consent for information sharing. In the event there is risk to the safety of any person, then the Commission will advise Police with or without your consent. Support will be provided and steps will be taken to minimise the distress that may arise from telling your story again.
You can contact:
- Human Rights Commission – contact the Human Rights Commission if you are seeking general information and support, or want to explore making a civil complaint.
Call: 0800 496 877
Email: [email protected]
Visit: www.hrc.co.nz - New Zealand Police – contact Police if you think your experience might meet the criminal threshold.
Call: 111 if someone is in immediate danger or a crime or incident is happening now
105 if an incident has already happened and no one is in immediate danger
Online: 105 online reporting
Visit: https://www.police.govt.nz/use-105 - The Health and Disability Commissioner
Call: 0800 11 22 33
Email: [email protected]
Online: https://www.hdc.org.nz/making-a-complaint/make-a-complaint-to-hdc/
If conversion practices are experienced in a health or disability setting you can also make a complaint to the Health and Disability Commissioner (HDC). The role of HDC is to promote and protect the rights of people using health and disability services as set out in the Code of Health and Disability Services Consumers’ Rights (the Code).
The Code sets out 10 rights, including the right to be treated with respect, to be free from discrimination or exploitation, to dignity and independence, to services of an appropriate standard, to give informed consent, and to complain.
