Western Australia will criminalise gay conversion therapy after hearing harrowing evidence of mistreatment from former residents of the Esther Foundation women’s rehabilitation centre.

A parliamentary inquiry heard evidence residents were physically and sexually abused at the Perth facility, administered unprescribed medication and forcibly restrained for “exorcism or deliverance of demons and faith healing”.

A report by the inquiry, tabled in state parliament on Thursday, said LGBTQI residents were told their sexuality was “caused by demons that needed to be removed through prayer”.

Women who shared attractions were pitted against each other as predators and victims.

Links to Pentecostal churches

The centre, which opened in the early 2000s and had links to Pentecostal churches, entered administration in April after allegations by former residents were made public.

Premier Mark McGowan on Thursday said the government would act on a committee recommendation to outlaw conversion practices.

Accredited health professionals who are regulated through professional bodies and provide “lawful and ethical care”, including for people seeking to affirm gender through medical treatments, will not be included in the ban.

“This government has a strong record in supporting LGBTIQA+ people in WA and is opposed to attempts to forcibly change a person’s sexual orientation or gender identity,” Mr McGowan said in a statement.

‘Undermine value of personal dignity’

“Not only are conversion and suppression practices ineffective but they undermine the fundamental value of personal dignity and have long term negative impacts on the health and mental health of LGBTIQA+ people in our community.”

Equality advocates in WA have previously called for legislation which targeted religious and educational settings.

Attorney-General John Quigley said conversion therapy remained a problem in some Australian religious communities.

One former Esther Foundation resident told the inquiry she would try to act straight because she was desperate for love and acceptance.

Former resident became suicidal

Another became suicidal when the conversion tactics weren’t working because she believed she deserved to be in hell.

The inquiry also heard evidence that the cultural identity of Aboriginal residents was suppressed.

One resident said she was humiliated when asked to perform Aboriginal dances in church to “shake off ancestral spirits”.

The committee recommended the establishment of a regulatory process for drug and alcohol treatment services and consideration of a licensing scheme for providers.

It also called for better handling of complaints and regulation of accommodation-based mental health services.

Foundation board apologised to residents

In a statement earlier this year, the board of the Esther Foundation apologised to any residents who had experienced abuse.

At least 15 young women who had been under state care went on to reside at the Esther Foundation between 2005 and 2020, according to WA’s Department of Communities.

Five were formally placed there, one self-referred and it was unclear who had initiated the contact for the remaining nine, the department said.

The state government also purchased a $3.9 million property in Kalamunda in 2010 and provided it to the foundation on a peppercorn lease.

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-AAP