Children’s charity receive record number of calls from trans kids
A children’s charity is receiving up to eight calls a day from trans kids.
The National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC) has revealed almost 2800 children said they were transgender to counsellors in 2015/16.
In contrast, this is more than double the number that raised the issue in 2012/13.
Most of the children, some as young as 11, said they were born in the wrong body and that had driven them to suicidal thoughts and self harm.
The charity said it was right to understand what the kids are going through and help them deal with issues such as bullying.
It said a 15-year-old trans girl told Childline: “I wish I’d never said anything.
“People shout at me every day and call me stupid and ugly.”
Dr Julia Long, a sociologist from Anglia Ruskin University, told The Metro the increased numbers could be due to greater media coverage of trans issues.
NSPCC chief executive Peter Wanless said a sign of a modern society was not to stigmatise children.
“When a child is made to feel ashamed about who they are, it can trigger serious mental health issues,” he said.
Recently, the NHS announced it would spend an extra £2.2 million on helping young people with gender identity.
Earlier this year, PinkNews awards winner Mermaids was attacked by transphobes for apparently “bullying” children.
