Thread by @JamesEsses

🧵THREAD: CHILDLINE POSE SAFEGUARDING RISK TO CHILDREN

I have become increasingly concerned by what Childline (as an arm of the @NSPCC) are exposing young, vulnerable and impressionable children to.

Here are the most worrying materials I have come across (with links):
(1/12)

In a Message Board, a 14-year-old girl describes wanting cross-sex hormones because her period makes her feel ‘dysphoric’.

A ‘trans guy’ advises her to start hormones without her parents’ knowledge.

No Childline moderator intervenes.

childline.org.uk/get-support/me…
(2/12)

In another Message Board, a young girl asks for advice about sourcing breast binders.

She receives multiple recommendations of places to source them.

No Childline moderator intervenes to highlight the serious harm that breast binders can cause.

childline.org.uk/get-support/me…
(3/12)

Another Message Board features a child who has felt dysphoric in the past but who believes it is a mental health condition.

For this, they are called ‘transphobic’, ‘offensive’ and ‘rude’ by other users.

No Childline moderator intervenes.

childline.org.uk/get-support/me…
(4/12)

This only scratches the surface. There are 15,000 posts on Childline’s Gender Identity Board.

It is filled with dangerous advice and opinions. This is even though Childline claim to ‘check every message’. Adults could easily access these boards.

childline.org.uk/get-support/me…
(5/12)

‘Ask Sam’, one part of Childline’s counselling service, is also filled with safeguarding concerns.

A 14-year-old girl writes in to say she ‘hates’ her breasts.

‘Sam’ (a Childline worker) suggests the use of breast binders within a few sentences.

childline.org.uk/get-support/as…
(6/12)

In another, a young girl struggling with ‘dysphoria’ is worried about getting ‘pregnant’ in later life if she transitions.

Within a few sentences, ‘Sam’ mentions ‘surgery and hormones’ before suggesting: ‘have a surrogate mother carry the baby’.

childline.org.uk/get-support/as…
(7/12)

Childline’s webpage on ‘Gender Identity’ tells children: ‘gender identity isn’t just male or female’.

They suggest ‘changing your name’, including pronouns like ‘ze and zir’.

No mention that gender dysphoria is a mental health condition.

childline.org.uk/info-advice/yo…
(8/12)

This flag is currently hanging up inside Childline’s Counselling Room in London.

Childline is meant to be a neutral mental health service, free from bias.

Yet, this ideological symbol sends a clear warning to counsellors and children alike to not step out of line.
(9/12)

Childline staff have reached out to me in confidence to share that they feel pressure to ‘affirm’ children with gender dysphoria.

I have been told about Childline counsellors who announce their pronouns when speaking to a child and ask for the child’s pronouns in return.
(10/12)

I volunteered as a Childline counsellor for 5 years.

After I raised concerns about gender ideology within the organisation, including Stonewall’s influence on internal policies, I was removed from my position.

I write about this experience here:
(11/12)

jamesesses.com/p/dear-childli…

Things have gone too far.

It is imperative that the Charity Commission (@ChtyCommission) conduct an investigation into Childline and the NSPCC.

If vulnerable children in our society are not safe contacting Childline, where are they safe?
(12/12)

Can I please implore people to contact the @NSPCC and, in particular, @PeterWanless.

Also, to forward these issues to the @ChtyCommission.

Call, write, email.

They need to understand that people will not shut up until child safeguarding is preserved.

In a new Childline thread, a young girl talks about desiring to ‘pass’ as a boy through clothing.

Straight away, another user says that without cross sex hormones “it’ll be nearly impossible to pass”. No moderator intervenes.

Childline enabling the medicalisation of children.

You only need to scratch beneath the surface…

childline.org.uk/get-support/me…