This development is in line with several Western European countries that have reportedly reduced access to similar gender identity treatments whose benefits were found to be “remarkably weak”, according to a review commissioned by the National Health Service ( NHS England, published on 10 April by consultant pediatrician Dr Hilary Cass.
UN Special Rapporteur Reem Alsalem also welcomed the UK Secretary of State for Health and Social Care's commitment to implementing the implications of the Cass Review.
“It has… shown very clearly the Devastating consequences that gender treatment policies have had on the human rights of children.including girls…“Its implications go beyond the United Kingdom,” said the UN Special Rapporteur on violence against women and girls, Ms. Alsalem.
Increased referrals
The independent rights expert cited the Review's findings that between 2009 and 2016, the number of teenage girls referred to the NHS England service for gender distress (or dysphoria) rose from just 15 to 1,071.
These referrals “violated fundamental principles, such as the need to defend the best interests of the child in all decisions that affect their lives.””the Special Rapporteur insisted, while transgender rights groups have maintained that there are long waiting lists for treatment.
Mental anguish
Observing the “Extraordinarily high number of adolescents” affected by anxiety and depression In recent years, Ms Alsalem said it was vitally important that health authorities stop “rapidly initiating permanent gender transition pathways that usually start with puberty blockers, which could cause a temporary or permanent interruption of brain maturation”.
Instead, girls potentially seeking “gender-affirming interventions” should be offered more comprehensive psychological support, protected by legislation that should ensure that “transition does not become the only acceptable option to discuss with them.” .
Support for the 'detransition'
The same opportunity for broader therapeutic support should also be available to “detransitionists” (individuals who have interrupted gender transition) “the majority of whom are girls,” argued Ms. Alsalem, in support of the findings of the revision.
“For too long the suffering of this group of children and adults has been ignored or dismissed. The conclusions and recommendations of the report indicate that they have been heard, seen and that their specific needs have been recognized.”
toxic debate
According to Dr. Cass' report, “many more” girls are being referred for gender transition treatment today, marking a distinct change from the past, when most requests for medical help came from adolescent boys. .
Reiterating an earlier call for tolerance regarding discussions of gender treatments amid a “toxicity of debate” identified by Cass Review, Special Rapporteur Alsalem emphasized that Researchers and academics who expressed their opinions should not be “silenced, threatened or intimidated.”.
Special Rapporteurs are not UN staff and are independent of any government or organization. They serve in an individual capacity and receive no salary for their work.
