Conversion therapy outside Canada
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It is illegal to bring or send a minor under 18 years of age outside of Canada for them to undergo conversion therapy in another country. Anyone taking a child to another country for that purpose could be prosecuted under Canadian law.
Getting immediate help
If you’re in Canada and you think you'll be taken to another country for conversion therapy, avoid leaving Canada. Contact a person you trust to help you.
If you’re at the airport about to be taken outside Canada, try to report your situation, if you can do so without putting yourself in danger. For example, try to tell the security agents during security screening or airline officials before boarding the plane.
If you're at a land border inform the border officer if you can do so safely.
If you’re in another country, contact us for help if you can do so without putting yourself in danger.
If you have undergone conversion therapy outside Canada, see a lawyer about options available to you.
Canadians in another country
If you or someone you know is Canadian and might be subjected to conversion therapy in another country:
- Contact the nearest Canadian government office abroad or the Emergency Watch and Response Centre for consular assistance while you’re outside Canada.
- Inform consular officials of what you may have faced or think you’ll face. They may be able to help you.
Any information you give them will remain confidential under the Privacy Act (Justice Canada).
Learn more about our Consular Policy Regarding the Use and Disclosure of Personal Information.
Consular services
Our consular officers can help you by:
- finding food, a safe place to stay, a lawyer, and other support as needed
- providing Canadian travel documents
- providing information on how to leave the country
- coordinating safe transportation to an airport or point of exit
- helping you to access private and/or public funds such as the Distressed Canadian Fund or the Financial Assistance for Canadians Victimized Abroad (Justice Canada)
- ensuring that a post-departure/arrival in Canada plan is in place
Related links
- Advice for 2SLGBTQI+ travellers
- Child abduction and parenting or custody issues
- Family Violence Initiative - Abuse is Wrong in Any Language (Justice Canada)
- Financial Assistance for Canadians Victimized Abroad (Justice Canada)
- 2SLGBTQI+ Secretariat (Women and Gender Equality Canada)
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