British Columbia’s representative for children and youth is calling on the provincial government to identify and implement policies to support gender-diverse children, particularly those in care.
Jennifer Charlesworth says a review by her office conducted of critical injury and death reports of gender-diverse youth between 2018 and 2021 raises serious concerns about the experiences of these young people.
She says their analysis revealed 44 per cent of two-spirit, transgender, nonbinary and other gender-diverse youth in government care reported suicidal thoughts and self harm compared with 14 per cent of cis-males and 22 per cent of cis-females.
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Charlesworth says those outcomes are “preventable” and that those statistics even out when the proper supports are in place.
She says the lack of gender-affirming care, from medical intervention to social support, can cause further harm and trauma for the youth in a time when LGBTQ+ groups are facing an influx of hate and violence.
The report recommended the Children’s Ministry create at least two provincial positions to support staff and caregivers of gender-diverse children, and that the Addictions Ministry review the mental health needs of the group to be reflected in the government’s next action plan.
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“By implementing these recommendations, government can create positive change,” Charlesworth said in a news release.
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