Victoria could become first Australian state to ban unnecessary surgery on intersex childrenVictoria will become the first Australian state to ban unnecessary surgeries on intersex children, with legislation to be introduced to parliament to ensure procedures are deferred until patients are old enough to consent to them.The health minister, Mary-Anne Thomas, will on Tuesday introduce the health safeguards for people born with variations in sex characteristics bill, which if passed would prohibit deferrable, irreversible procedures and treatments on intersex infants and children until they can provide informed consent.
Intersex people are born with variations in sex characteristics – such as reproductive organs, chromosomes or hormones – that do not fit typical definitions of male or female.
Thomas said the reform – first committed to in 2021 – gives intersex people agency over their own bodies. She said it follows instances where people born with variations in sex characteristics have experienced harm and trauma through inappropriate and unnecessary medical interventions.
“Every person deserves the right to make decisions about their own body, with respect, dignity and safety at the heart of the care they receive,” Thomas said.
“This is an important step forward for people born with variations in sex characteristics and their families – who for too long have not had the fair and proper legal recognition of their rights.”
Victoria could become first Australian state to ban unnecessary surgery on intersex children
Exclusive: Legislation would prohibit deferrable, irreversible procedures until child can give informed consent, bringing state in line with ACTBenita Kolovos (The Guardian)
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