Seven-year-old boy ‘living life entirely as a girl’ has not been listened too, says mother

A woman whose seven-year-old son was taken from her care after a High Court judge heard how he had been ”living life entirely as a girl” says the youngster’s voice has “not been heard”.

Mr Justice Hayden said the woman had been ”absolutely convinced” the boy ”perceived himself as a girl” and was determined that he should be a girl.

He said the woman had caused her son ”significant emotional harm” – and he criticised local authority social services staff responsible for the youngster’s welfare.

The judge has ruled that the boy should live with his father – who is separated from the woman – but should stay in touch with his mother.

Detail of the case emerged last week when Mr Justice Hayden made rulings following private hearings in the Family Division of the High Court in London.

The woman had told the judge that she “did not maintain” that her son was “a girl” but thought that he was “gender dysphoric”.

And she says she does not understand the judge’s ruling.

“It’s not a question of whether I’ve been treated fairly – I don’t care about that,” said the woman.

“My child hasn’t been treated fairly – because my child’s voice has not been heard. That’s what I care about.”

She added: “I didn’t really understand what the judge was saying.”

The woman said she hoped that the case would improve awareness of issues relating to gender dysphoria and gender identification.

She also said hoped that the Court of Appeal would consider the case.

Mr Justice Hayden said ”flares of concern” about the boy’s lifestyle had been sent from a ”whole raft of multi-disciplinary agencies”.

He said he could not understand why so many concerns were ”disregarded so summarily” by social services staff responsible for the child.

The judge said no-one involved in the case – including the local authority – could be identified.

He also barred the woman from discussing specifics of the case in any media interviews.

Mr Justice Hayden said he was afraid that an information jigsaw which might lead to the boy’s identity being revealed could be created.

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