Young people 'caught in the middle of toxic gender debate'

CHILDREN have been bullied and vilified as they are trapped in the crossfire of the "exceptionally toxic" debate over gender treatment, a major review has found.

- Emily Braeger

Dr Hilary Cass, whose four-year 400-page report on gender identity services for children and young people is published today, says the issue is so volatile, medics are scared to discuss their views openly.

She also slammed the introduction of earlier-age medical interventions, despite lack of evidence about their use and long-term effects.

Last night, PM Rishi Sunak praised her "expert" review, saying: "The wellbeing and health of children must come first."

Hormones

NHS England ordered the review in 2020 after the number of youngsters seeking medical gender help soared in the last decade.

In it, ex-consultant paediatrician Dr Cass urges health chiefs to rethink giving children masculinising or feminising hormones from 16, and to show "extreme caution".