Gay conversion therapy is supposed to cure people of same-sex attractions, but it doesn't have much support among mainstream psychologists. In fact, the methods used by some gay conversion therapy "camps" or treatment centers are ineffective at best and harmful and abusive at worst. If you were a victim of one of these gay conversion treatment programs, can you sue for the harm you endured and any ongoing emotional problems you have as a result? This is what you should know.

You may be able to sue for consumer fraud.

Scientific evidence supports the idea that homosexuality is an inborn trait, not a disease that can be cured through prayer, hetero-erotic stimulation, shock therapy, or other treatments. Some states, like California, have made the practice illegal, calling it pure medical quackery, and many are calling for all conversion therapy treatment centers and camps to be shut down. Even psychiatric legend, Dr. Robert Spitzer has apologized for ever backing the idea of a cure for gayness.

Recently, several plaintiffs who had undergone "treatment" at the gay conversion therapy camp known as Jews Offering New Alternatives for Healing (JONAH) won a $72,0000 jury settlement against the group for consumer fraud. The New Jersey court ruled that JONAH's advertising was deceptive about its treatment practices and for marketing homosexuality as a mental disorder that could be cured.

You may be able to sue for abuse 

If you were abused at one of these gay conversion therapy centers while you were still a minor, you may be able to sue for the abuse you suffered once you turn 18.

Some of the practices used in gay conversion centers can certainly be considered abusive. For example, some participants endured physical shocks or were given nausea-inducing drugs while being shown same-sex erotica in order to try to create negative associations toward homosexual behavior. Electroconvulsive therapy, also known as shock treatments, and things like being forced to strip naked in front of counselors while enduring shouts of homophobic slurs were also considered "treatments." Other treatment centers focused on forcing participants to engage in hard physical labor, harsh punishments for transgressions, and forced prayer or religious studies. Extreme isolation tactics are also used, in order to keep teens from asking for help or exposing what's happening.

Many participants end up leaving these treatment centers feeling ashamed and depressed—and in dire need of proper psychological counseling to undo the damage that was done during the gay conversion treatments. As a minor, you weren't able to leave the treatment centers without your parents' consent.

As an adult, however, you may be able to sue the treatment center for its abusive actions. You may also be able to sue your parents for putting you in that situation. Your parents had a duty to protect you from harm—not put you in a place where you would be sexually, physically, and emotionally abused.

You need to act quickly or you could lose the right to sue.

One important factor to keep in mind, however, is that you only have a limited time to file your claim. The statute of limitations, or time limit for which you can file a claim, on an injury you suffered while under age 18 begins counting as soon as you turn 18 (although there is often extended time if the abuse can be considered sexual in nature). Each state is different, so you'll need to consult with a personal injury attorney in your state to know what the time limits are.