Debate contribution: Conversion Practices (Criminalisation) Bill: Second Stage

Debate contribution by Mr Gordon Lyons on 15 September 2026.

MLA: Mr Gordon Lyons
Party at the time: Democratic Unionist Party
Date: 15 September 2026
Type: Debate contribution (made as a minister)
Business: Private Members' Business
Heading: Conversion Practices (Criminalisation) Bill: Second Stage
Assembly identifier: Official Report component 5705734

Text

I appreciate the Member's giving way. There are good, key issues of debate here, and I would have hoped that he would engage. I feel that we have gone through this very quickly, and there are lots of things that I want to ask him. I will ask this question now. I draw the attention of the House to clause 5, which states:
"In this Act, coercive behaviour means— (a) behaviour directed at the victim that is violent",
but it also:
"means behaviour on two or more occasions".
Why does the Member think that violence should have to happen on two occasions before action is taken?

106 words. Text as published by the Northern Ireland Assembly.

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