A report by the charity regulator found transgender charity Mermaids gave chest binders to children as young as 13 against their parent’s wishes.
It follows a two-year inquiry by the Charity Commission that discovered “systemic failings” and “mismanagement” at the organisation.
The report, which cleared Mermaids of misconduct, found that the charity gave 24 chest binders to young people without their parents’ involvement, including 15 to children aged 13 to 16.
Mermaids has also removed claims on its website that puberty blockers are reversible after being told by the commission to review its language over potential risks.
People take part in a Trans Pride protest march in Brighton
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The regulator concluded that parents were unable to ensure safety advice was followed with the chest binders, which are used to flatten breasts with constrictive materials to make a person more male-presenting. It said parents must give consent in decisions to use them. Mermaids scrapped its chest binder service in October last year.
Mermaids, which has an annual income of almost £2.3million and says it supports more than 10,000 people every year, was given advice after the charity identified “serious regulatory concerns” relating to its governance and management.
Charity Commission chairman Orlando Fraser KC said: “The provision of services to children affected by gender identity issues is a highly challenging area that requires great care and sensitivity. We have carefully scrutinised Mermaids’ activities through a statutory inquiry and have found mismanagement in a number of areas.
“Following the Cass review, we have required Mermaids to present a more accurate picture on its website as to the risks involved in the use of puberty blockers and to follow Cass review findings on the involvement of parents in social transitioning as regards any future provision of chest binders to children.”
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Members of Mermaids UK, a charity supporting gender-diverse and transgender children, take part in the Pride in London parade on 06 July, 2019
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While the commission said is not a criminal offence to supply a binder to a child without parental consent, it added that parents would have been “unable to supervise its use”.
It found that Mermaids had issued 125 chest binders between January 2021 and September 2022, with 101 of those given to parents and carers.
According to the report, 24 binders were given to “unsupported” young people, classified as those under 19 whose primary carer does not support their gender identity. Mermaids provided guidance on mitigating risks when using the binders, but “no advice was given on the possible psychological effects” of wearing them, it found.
The report said there were “potential risks involved in the supply of binders”, including physical harm and “unknown psychological effects caused by social transitioning.”
People take part in a Trans Pride protest march in Brighton
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The charity’s chief executive, Susie Green, left abruptly in 2022. The regulator’s report, published today, reveals that Green was dismissed by the charity’s trustees after they lost confidence in her.
The review was understood to be highly critical of Green’s handling of complaints and the vetting of trustees, of which Mermaids has had a high turnover with 41 since 2015.
The Charity Commission said that trustees should have addressed the “systemic failings” identified by the review “much earlier.”
A complaint of bullying and harassment against Green was not upheld. She later brought a claim of unfair dismissal against Mermaids, which was settled out of court.
The report found that there was no misconduct at the charity
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Mermaids’ chair of trustees Kathryn Downs said: “We are relieved that the Charity Commission Inquiry which began nearly two years ago is finally over. The report states, as we anticipated, that there is no finding of misconduct at Mermaids.
“The Commission has also confirmed, as we have repeatedly asserted, that we have not provided medical advice or acted improperly in our work with children, young people and their families.
“We can now look forward and concentrate all our efforts and energies on providing high-quality support and empowering advocacy for trans children and young people and the important people in their lives. The Trustees accepted that governance did not keep pace with the charity’s rapid growth linked to rising support needs from trans young people and their families.
“Considering the changes already made at Mermaids independently of this Inquiry, the time taken to publish this report has been frustrating, significantly affecting Mermaids’ fundraising and ability to deliver on our charitable objectives.
“We call on the Charity Commission to ensure that organisations serving groups facing rising hostility are supported and protected, whilst being held to account where this is necessary.”