The Chinese government should take immediate steps to stop public hospitals and private clinics from offering conversion therapy, Human Rights Watch said in a new report released this week.

The 52-page report, titled “‘Have You Considered Your Parents’ Happiness?’: Conversion Therapy Against LGBT People in China,” based on interviews with 17 ‘patients’ documents voluntary confinemnt, forced medication, eltroshocks often forced on individuals by their parents. 

“It’s been more than 20 years since China decriminalised homosexuality, but LGBT people are still subjected to forced confinement, medication, and even electric shocks to try to change their sexual orientation,” said Graeme Reid, LGBT rights director at Human Rights Watch. “If Chinese authorities are serious about ending discrimination and abuse against LGBT people, it’s time to put an end to this practice in medical facilities.”

Chinese Psychiatric Society officially removed “homosexuality” from its Chinese Classification of Mental Disorders in 2001 and as homosexuality is not a disorder, China’s mental health law renders conversion therapy illegal. 

China authorities have failed to act on healthcare facilities providing such therapy, however, and have not issued clear guidelines, investigated instances of abuses, or held facilities accountable.