And the other article has two very shocking paragraphs:
The report included testimonies from ten staff members, who claimed that youngsters with complex histories of sexual abuse or trauma or autism and other mental health issues were being sent to the clinic “on a conveyor belt” towards transition, without sufficient investigation of their reasons, and without the youngsters’ full understanding of the consequences. The clinicians said they were seeing a “very substantial group of young people who become radicalised online and take up a trans identity as a solution to other problems”, but to say so was considered heresy.
Why is this not being taken more seriously as potential online radicalisation? We know there is a massive issue with this in today's society but we seem to only be concerned with Islamic or Far Right radicalisation or with ProAna websites. There has also been mumuring of an issue online connected to suicide and self harm, which has been covered by the BBC and some of the national press with indications from Johnson's government that they would do something about it, but its never been put into the context of large charitable organisations or prominent activists doing the same thing in a way which is viewed as somehow socially acceptable as its not just on the 'nasty internet' but has seeped into the mainstream via powerful social circles.
As i say we know there is a problem with political radicalisation online in a range of subjects including some which are not unrelated to part of the trans debate. We accept this as an issue and truth which need attention, monitoring and action where required. But no one is questioning how this is being amplified by institutions and individuals who should be primarily concerned about safeguarding vulnerable persons. Why?
One clinician described some of the patient group as “among the most disturbed children [they] had seen. However the disturbance is framed as a gender identity issue and once that happens it becomes sacrosanct and cannot be questioned.”
What actually happens here if these children are given drugs to fix a problem which is highly inappropriate for their circumstances?
Is there a prevalence for this within the trans community? Is this something we should be concerned about because a cohort of highly disturbed children being untouchable and what this could mean for the future especially if underlying issues are overlooked?
None of this is pretty reading. It actively pushes potential issues that the trans community has tried to dismiss as prejudiced stereotypes. However this is problematic if it is backed up with substance. We already know that there is an issue with over representation of sex offenders presenting with gender identity issues, which begs questions which are actively being shoved under the carpet. If there is a connection between abuse and gender identity on multiple levels and age then we need to have a good understanding of whats going on and why for numerous safeguarding reasons both for the individuals concerned - particularly children and anyone this may later affect.
Equally if there isnt a connection it would be just as helpful to dismiss concerns of this nature once and for all.
Whistleblowing requires investigation. Especially when you have multiple people all raising similar concerns and an institution where the high court is actively saying that they've been driving a coach and horses through basic safeguarding principles without any thought, or concern about the recording of essential data in an experiment situation.