Women’s Policy Group urges support for Conversion Practices (Criminalisation) Bill

02 October 2026 – The WRDA led Women’s Policy Group (WPG) has submitted evidence to the Northern Ireland Assembly Committee for Communities in strong support of the proposed Conversion Practices (Criminalisation) Bill, describing it as "necessary legislation" to protect LGBTQIA+ people from harmful conversion practices.

In its submission, the WPG highlights evidence that conversion practices continue to take place in Northern Ireland and can cause significant psychological and emotional harm. The group argues that legislation is needed to clearly define and criminalise these practices, while also sending a strong message that efforts to change or suppress a person's sexual orientation or gender identity are unacceptable.

The WPG welcomes the overall purpose of the Bill and calls for it to be as comprehensive and inclusive as possible. The group also recommends strengthening aspects of the legislation, including removing the proposed "reasonableness" defence, improving protections for victims, and introducing additional measures such as third-party reporting mechanisms and restrictions on the promotion of conversion practices.

The WPG has also endorsed submissions from the Ban Conversion Practices Coalition and UNISON NI and is encouraging Assembly Members to support robust protections that will help eradicate conversion practices and improve the wellbeing of LGBTQIA+ communities across Northern Ireland.

-ENDS-

Contact:
Elaine Crory, Women's Sector Lobbyist, WRDA
elaine.crory@wrda.net