12/04/2024
MEDIA RELEASE
Cass Review Findings Means Medicalisation of Aussie Kids Must Stop
April 10, 2024
The Cass Review Final Report released today makes it clear that the medicalisation of s*x confused children has no evidence base. In light of the Report, the Australian Christian Lobby (ACL) calls for medicalisation of Aussie kids to stop immediately and for Federal and State governments to urgently establish comprehensive inquiries into the treatment of s*x confused or gender dysphoric kids.
Christopher Brohier the ACL Director of Policy and Research said:
“Some key findings of the Final Report include:
‘While a considerable amount of research has been published in this field, systematic evidence reviews demonstrated the poor quality of the published studies, meaning there is not a reliable evidence base upon which to make clinical decisions, or for children and their families to make informed choices.
The rationale for early puberty suppression remains unclear, with weak evidence regarding the impact on gender dysphoria, mental or psychosocial health. The effect on cognitive and psychos*xual development remains unknown.
The use of masculinising / feminising hormones in those under the age of 18 also presents many unknowns, despite their longstanding use in the adult transgender population. The lack of long-term follow-up data on those commencing treatment at an earlier age means we have inadequate information about the range of outcomes for this group.
Clinicians are unable to determine with any certainty which children and young people will go on to have an enduring trans identity.
For most young people, a medical pathway will not be the best way to manage their gender-related distress. For those young people for whom a medical pathway is clinically indicated, it is not enough to provide this without also addressing wider mental health and/or psychosocially challenging problems.’
Mr Brohier said “Australian gender clinics operate in contradiction to these findings,and use medicalisation as the standard pathway to the long term harm of kids, particularly teenage girls. The irreversible harm being done to these kids as a medical experiment is a medical scandal which must cease immediately. All governments must establish urgent independent inquiries into the care for s*x confused kids. How many more kids are to be damaged before we act?”
He said “In the light of the Final Cass Report, the medical profession’s peak bodies must act to stop the affirmation model of treatment, which is causing great harm.”
The ACL calls on State governments and the Federal Government to stop the medicalisation of s*x confused children and establish comprehensive and independent inquiries. Our kids deserve no less.
