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Chest binding is opposed by some groups over fears it causes breathing difficulties.
Chest binding is opposed by some groups over fears it causes breathing difficulties. Photograph: Gina Kelly/Alamy
Chest binding is opposed by some groups over fears it causes breathing difficulties. Photograph: Gina Kelly/Alamy

Trans charity Mermaids investigated over ‘breast binders given to children’

This article is more than 1 year old

Organisation reportedly sent chest-flattening devices to children against parents’ wishes

A transgender rights organisation is being investigated over reports it has given breast binders to children.

Mermaids, which supports transgender, non-binary and gender diverse children and their families, reportedly sent the chest-flattening devices to children against their parents’ wishes.

The Charity Commission has opened a regulatory compliance case into the organisation after a number of complaints.

It is the first step taken by the regulator, and not a finding of wrongdoing.

A spokesperson for the commission said: “Concerns have been raised with us about Mermaids’ approach to safeguarding young people.

“We have opened a regulatory compliance case and have written to the trustees. We now await their reply.”

According to an investigation by the Daily Telegraph, the charity has been offering binders to children as young as 13 despite their parents saying they opposed the practice.

Chest binding is opposed by some groups over fears it causes breathing difficulties, back pain and broken ribs.

The newspaper also reported that the Mermaids online help centre has been offering advice to teenagers that hormone-blocking drugs are safe and “totally reversible”.

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Mermaids, which was established in 1995, has said it will reply to the Charity Commission in “due course” but that it will not be commenting further at this stage, the BBC reported.

In a response to the Telegraph article, the charity said it provided comprehensive safety guidelines to young people from an experienced member of staff.

More on this story

More on this story

  • SNP minister wants plan for conversion practices ban to send ‘strong message’

  • Scottish ministers drop legal action against Westminster over gender bill

  • Scottish gender recognition bill would leave UK law untouched, court told

  • Edinburgh venue to tighten security for gender-critical SNP MP Joanna Cherry

  • Starmer yet to resolve policy split with Scottish Labour on gender recognition

  • Trans violent offenders banned from women’s prisons in England and Wales

  • Transgender prison row heightens safety fears in Scotland’s LGBTQ+ community

  • Scottish leadership election leaves gender reform hanging in balance

  • Trans prisoners in Scotland to be first sent to jails matching their birth gender

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