VICTORIA — British Columbia's representative for children and youth says gender-diverse young people, notably those in care, aren't getting the support they need and she is calling on the provincial government to fill service gaps.
Jennifer Charlesworth said a lack of gender-affirming care, from medical intervention to social support, can cause further harm and trauma for youth at a time when LGBTQ groups are facing hate and violence.
"Many two-spirit, trans, nonbinary (and) gender-diverse young people have multiple co-occurring support needs and yet the supports they received are siloed," Charlesworth told a news conference Thursday.
She said a review by her office of critical injury and death reports of gender-diverse youth between 2018 and 2021 raises serious concerns.
The analysis found 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 males and 22 per cent of females who did not identify as being in those groups, she said.
"The evidence is clear that these negative life experiences and outcomes for these young people are preventable and when we know better, we must do better," Charlesworth said. "When children and youth are valued, nurtured, affirmed and receive the care and supports that they need, their outcomes are similar to their cisgender counterparts."
Charlesworth's office is now calling on the provincial government to identify and implement policies to support these youth.
"Culturally relevant and wraparound supports are largely missing and … housing is an ongoing need. These children and youth need housing supports that emphasize belonging and safety and too often it's not available."
A report released by the representative Thursday also 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.
"By implementing these recommendations, government can create positive change," Charlesworth said in a news release.
Mitzi Dean, minister of children and family development, said she agrees with the "intent of the recommendations" and the ministry has started to "thoroughly analyze them."
"The representative’s report makes it clear that there’s more work to do, and we welcome this feedback about how we can be more responsive to the needs of children and youth who may be more vulnerable," Dean said in a statement Thursday.
The report also called on the Ministry of Attorney General to identify any legislative and regulatory changes to address disinformation and discrimination of gender-diverse youth by March 31, 2024, and to make those changes by March 31, 2025.
The ministry said in the statement that protecting gender-diverse children through legislation is a "key priority" and that it is reviewing the recommendation to determine next steps.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 22, 2023.
The Canadian Press
