Mermaids ordered to revise puberty blocker advice

A long-awaited inquiry comes to some inevitable conclusions

Susie Green, former Mermaids CEO who castrated her son on his sixteenth birthday

A Charity Commission inquiry has concluded that Mermaids provided misleading information about puberty blockers on its website.

The inquiry, launched in 2022, found no evidence to suggest that Mermaids provided medical advice, made medical referrals without parental consent, or had inappropriate ties with the Tavistock and Portman NHS Foundation Trust or private medical practices. However, the report raised serious concerns about Mermaids' website, finding that the charity failed to clearly state whether its claims about puberty blockers were intended to be educational or to directly address the mental and emotional stress of those affected.

This distinction is crucial because charities that provide educational information have a legal responsibility to ensure that information is accurate, evidence-based, and balanced. Mermaids' failure to clearly identify the purpose of its information about puberty blockers potentially put the charity in violation of these legal requirements. The Commission instructed Mermaids to review its statements on puberty blockers, particularly the claim that the effects of these interventions are reversible, and advised the charity to ensure that all information provided was in line with the findings of the Cass Review.

Mermaids confirms that it has complied with this advice and has removed all references to puberty blockers and reversibility from the website

The Commission's Chair, Orlando Fraser KC, emphasized the importance of providing accurate information in this field, particularly for charities whose registered status might influence children and families. He added that the inquiry holds valuable lessons for other charities operating in this area, urging them to carefully consider the findings and recommendations of the Cass Review.

The Cass Review, published in April 2024, led to changes in NHS guidelines, particularly concerning the use of blockers. The NHS now restricts their use to clinical trials unless exceptional circumstances exist. This decision reflects the lack of sufficient evidence supporting the safety and effectiveness of the drugs for routine use.

chest binders; potential for serious harm

Similarly, the inquiry identified serious concerns regarding the charity's approach to chest binder provision. While Mermaids claimed to prioritize harm reduction in offering binders to young people, the inquiry found this practice deeply troubling given the potential for serious harm, both physical and psychological, associated with their use.

The Commission highlighted that providing binders through a charity could carry an implicit message of approval, potentially influencing vulnerable young people and their families to engage in a practice with significant and poorly understood risks. The Commision instructed Mermaids to cease the practice of providing chest binders and demanded that any future policy reflect the Cass Review’s findings, prioritizing the well-being and safety of young people above all else.