Council gets tough on hypnotism
LOOK into my eyes, my eyes. You are feeling very, very sleepy...
The cliched methods of the stage hypnotist — usually involving a swinging fob watch — are well-rehearsed, but now the entertainers who use them have another party to convince — the licensing officers at North Devon Council.
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YOU ARE FEELING SLEEPY: A hypnotist uses a watch to put his subject into a trance. He is to be subject to new conditions.
The local authority is set to adopt a set of strict conditions for when authorising an exhibition, demonstration or performance of hypnotism to provide "the necessary safeguards in respect of any applications for the performance of hypnotism".
In England and Wales, local authorities can only give permission for a display of hypnotism under the Hypnotism Act 1952, a council report notes.
According to dictionary definitions, hypnosis is a state like sleep when the subject acts only on external suggestion.
If anyone hypnotises anyone else in North Devon without permission, for display, they can be fined £1,000.
Would-be hypnotists will have to obtain the written consent of North Devon Council and comply with conditions.
The application must contain the hypnotist's real name and address and details of their most recent three performances. They must also state if they have been convicted of any offence under the Hypnotism Act 1952.
Adverts for performances should state: "Volunteers, who must be aged 18 or over, can refuse at any point to continue taking part in the performance".
The council report goes on: "Before starting the performance, the hypnotist shall make a statement to the audience, in a serious manner, identifying those groups of people who should not volunteer to participate in it."
The hypnotist is also obliged to explain what audience members might be asked to do and the possible risks of "embarrassment or anxiety".
And it is, you might be surprised to know, expressly forbidden to single out "the most suggestible members of the audience without their prior knowledge of what is intended".
If volunteers are to "remain hypnotised" during an interval, a "reasonable number of attendants" as agreed by the council should be there to ensure safety.
There then follows a list of "prohibited actions" which include: "causing offence to any person in the audience"; age regression; any suggestion a subject has "lost something (eg a body part)"; and the consumption of any harmful substance.
And at the end of a performance the council requires that "all hypnotic or post-hypnotic suggestions shall be completely removed from the minds of the subjects and the audience before the performance ends".
The hypnotist must wait for half-an-hour after a performance to "deal with any problems which might arise" such as "giddiness", the council report states.
OK. One, two, there — You're back in the room.
11 Comments
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by David Knight, Stage Hypnosis Laws
Tuesday, February 02 2010, 5:10PM
“Any reputable Stage Hypnotist already follow these rules so this article sounds like a waste of time.
It is quite funny that this council is happy to lay down laws on hypnosis and yet use my picture for the article without my consent breaking copyright laws.
The web site the picture was taken from clearly says all pictures are copyright.
If you are going to use my picture at least ask first!
Maybe It is not just Hypnotists who need to get their acts sorted out!”
by Steven Lucas, Somerset
Tuesday, December 29 2009, 9:49AM
“PS: Does this website have permission from David Knight to use the picture associated with this article? Be good if a news site reporting on the legality of hypnosis had done something a bit naughty itself!”
by Steven Lucas, Somerset
Tuesday, December 29 2009, 9:46AM
“There is nothing unreasonable in what the council is requesting and nothing there that any well trained and prepared hypnotist wouldn't be doing anyway. Strangely enough, there is no requirement for Public Liability Insurance... Which of course any good stage or improvisational hypnotist (or other stage performer) would have anyway!”
by Mark Davies, Master Hypnotist Portsmouth
Wednesday, November 25 2009, 10:56AM
“At least it should keep these wanabe untrained dvd hypnotists out of the circuit. Iv'e seen too many bad Hypnotists out there,it needs to be regulated but sensibly.”
by Gary Jones, Devon
Tuesday, November 24 2009, 10:16PM
“Hmmm! What outdated rubbish, a little research by this ancient council is needed. Just a suggestion of course!!!”
by Brian Halliday, Edinburgh
Tuesday, November 24 2009, 6:55PM
“Unfortuntely no matter what you personally believe hypnosis does exist in the eyes of the law here in the uk.
And that does give the power and threat of £1000 fines.
So we have to work around that. I would be swayed to be on the right side of the law and do things properly.
On the bright side it might keep out the crappy untrained and irresponsable hypnotists that give stage work a bad name.
If it does then the insurance and additional work is worth it.”
by Some Well Known Hypnotist, London
Tuesday, November 24 2009, 3:56PM
“I know the Law, I Know Hypnosis.
Whatever recommedations a local council might suggest its a Civil matter between Hypnotist and Customer, and there is no way a civil matter would be dealt on terms any different to a normal trip or fall, or annoyance with any business in any industry.
This is simply just stating the usual worries about running a business, that are in all a minor concern.”
by martin williams, Ilfracombe
Tuesday, November 24 2009, 2:42PM
“The theory that hypnosis is a sleep like state has long been abandoned by theorists, as no sleep like brain-waves have been found during the state. In fact the community is split between state theorists, who believe that hypnosis as a distinct state exists, & Non-state theorists who dont ,so laws to punish "hypnotists" who "hypnotise" without permission, might turn out to be difficult to prove in court”
by Mark Lewis, Toronto
Monday, November 23 2009, 10:54PM
“Somebody should tell the North Devon council that ""hypnosis" doesn't exist in the first place.
How can something that doesn't exist be dangerous?
If the council require proof that the trance state does not exist then they should consult Dr Graham Wagstaff of Liverpool University if he still works there.
Alternatively they should read "They Call it Hypnosis"by Robert Baker.
In Ontario, Canada they had some stupid law on the books that Stage Hypnosis was illegal until I came along and made a fuss and the law was repealed.”
by Tony Black (hypnotist), Ireland
Monday, November 23 2009, 4:36PM
“What a load of tripe, based on not knowing anything about hypnosis or stage hypnosis. The 1952 Act should go the way of the Witchcraft acts - it is that out of date and irrelevant.
Stage hypnosis is a harmless form of improvisional comedy, but bureaucrats have no sense of humour.”