Geneva, The UN Special Rapporteur on violence against women and girls, Reem Alsalem, has endorsed the UK’s moves to implement the Cass Review’s recommendations on gender identity services for children, emphasizing the necessity to protect girls from serious harm. The report urges a reevaluation of the treatment approach for children experiencing gender dysphoria, particularly in light of rising referrals and the associated mental health challenges.

According to Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, the Cass Review, conducted by Dr. Hilary Cass, highlights a significant increase in the number of adolescent girls referred to the National Health Service’s Gender Identity Development Service, rising from 15 in 2009 to 1,071 in 2016. The review links these referrals to broader issues of mental health and societal pressures, recommending a holistic approach to treatment that avoids quick transitions to medical interventions like puberty blockers.

Alsalem praised the review’s comprehensive consideration of the complexities involved in gender identity issues among young people, particularly teenage girls affected by anxiety, depression, body image dissatisfaction, and homophobia. The report also addresses the needs of children who discontinue gender transition, advocating for specialized support services for these ‘detransitioners’, a group that has often felt marginalized.

The Cass Review critically evaluates the current gender treatment policies, suggesting they may contravene children’s human rights, such as the right to the highest attainable standard of health and the principle of the child’s best interest. It calls for a cautious approach to ensure that children receive appropriate and individualized support, and stresses the importance of safeguarding academic freedom and open discussion about gender treatments.

The findings of the Cass Review not only aim to reform practices within the UK but also set a precedent for how gender identity services for children should be approached globally, ensuring that health care practices align with broader human rights standards.