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

Debate contribution by Mr Brian Kingston on 22 September 2026.

MLA: Mr Brian Kingston
Party at the time: Democratic Unionist Party
Date: 22 September 2026
Type: Debate contribution
Business: Private Members' Business
Heading: Conversion Practices (Criminalisation) Bill: Second Stage
Assembly identifier: Official Report component 5741015

Text

I will come on to your point. Clause 2 is titled "Offence of engaging in coercive conversion behaviour". What is coercive conversion behaviour? We are told, at clause 5, that that means "behaviour ... that is violent". No one will support violent behaviour. It is "behaviour ... that is threatening". It is:
"controlling, regulating or monitoring the victim's day-to-day activities".
Is it any wonder that people are concerned about the impact of the legislation on parents, whose daily activity involves regulating and monitoring their children's activities? We expect them to have parental control over their children. Clause 5 goes on to state that "coercive behaviour" also means:
"restricting the victim's freedom of action".
If a parent grounds a child to their room or to the thinking step, or whatever people are allowed to call it nowadays, is that restricting their freedom of action? The clause carries on, and the bar gets lower and lower. "Coercive behaviour" also means:
"making the victim feel frightened, humiliated, degraded, punished or intimidated".
That is a very low bar. We are concerned that the Bill would criminalise parents. It is hugely subjective and comes down to the victim's perception.

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

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