Puberty blockers for a 12 year old child

In shocking news, the Victorian Supreme Court has granted permission for a 12 year old child to be prescribed puberty blockers, despite evidence they are harmful and despite the objections of the father.

This decision underscores a dangerous trend where experimental treatments are being imposed on vulnerable children because of LGBTIQA+ ideology, often with irreversible consequences.

It is unbelievable that Australian politicians from the major parties continue to allow harmful gender clinics to experiment on children, despite mounting evidence from the UK, including the closure of such clinics. Australia’s inaction highlights a critical failure to protect vulnerable children from the risks associated with these experimental treatments.

Puberty blockers, also known as gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) analogues, are medications used to halt the onset of puberty. They are often prescribed to children experiencing gender dysphoria, allowing more time to explore their gender identity prior to the onset of puberty with its associated physical changes.

While proponents argue that these treatments are reversible and provide psychological relief, there are significant concerns about their long-term effects. Potential side effects include impacts on bone density, fertility, and cognitive development.

These treatments can set a child on a path towards further medical interventions, including hormone treatments and surgeries, which come with their own set of irreversible consequences.

The Cass Report, an exhaustive review led by Dr Hilary Cass in the UK, has sounded the alarm on the use of puberty blockers for children with gender dysphoria. It emphasises the urgent need for more robust, evidence-based approaches, given the significant gaps in long-term safety and efficacy data. This Report led to the banning of puberty blockers for children.

Despite such stark warnings, the Victorian Supreme Court has chosen to ignore these critical insights. Judge Melinda Richards’ ruling, which relies solely on the mother’s consent, highlights a worrying trend of prioritising immediate psychological relief over the child’s long-term health.

This decision fails to recognise the irreversible impact that such treatments can have on a child’s future physical and mental well-being.

Puberty blockers, often described as a reversible intervention, carry significant risks. The potential for long-term health issues, including impacts on bone density, fertility, and cognitive development, cannot be ignored. These treatments are not mere placeholders and can set a child on a path towards further medical interventions, including hormone treatments and surgeries, which come with their own set of irreversible consequences.

It is alarming that Australian authorities and politicians remain silent on this critical issue.

The Cass Review has led to significant changes in the UK, including the closure of the Tavistock gender clinic and a ban on the use of puberty blockers for minors outside of clinical trials. This decisive action reflects a commitment to protecting children from the potential harms of unproven and experimental treatments.

Why are we not following the evidence presented by the Cass Report? Why are our courts making life-altering decisions without comprehensive consultation and consideration of the long-term health of the child?

The silence from our political leaders on this issue is deafening and deeply concerning. Children deserve protection, not experimentation and it is the responsibility of our lawmakers to ensure that the health and well-being of our children are prioritised over the agendas of activist groups pushing for these treatments.

Lyle Shelton is National Director of the Family First Party. He started his career as a rural journalist before being elected as a member of the Toowoomba City Council and serving the Australian Christian Lobby for 10 years, half of that decade as ACL's Managing Director. He was a Director and spokesman for the Coalition for Marriage during the 2017 postal survey campaign which resulted in the legal undefinition of marriage. He also blogs here.