The Australian Human Rights Commission is conducting a research project on how best to protect the human rights of people born with variations in sex characteristics in the context of medical interventions.
Written submissions are being sought to contribute to this process. Submissions can contain as much or as little information as you feel is appropriate. The questions outlined in the Consultation Paper may assist you in framing your submission, but you should not feel obligated to address these questions in your submission.
The information you provide will be used for research purposes only. Your information will be stored securely and your identity and information will be kept strictly confidential, except as required by law. Study findings may be published, but you will not be individually identifiable in these publications.
The ethical aspects of this project have been approved by the Human Research Ethics Committee of the University of Sydney (Number: 2018/338). Detailed information about this research is contained in the Participant Information Statement.
Making a submission may recall experiences that can be distressing. Appropriate support and information services have been provided below, if required during or after completing the submission.
If you require support in making a submission, please contact the project team at: sogii@humanrights.gov.au or on (02) 9284 9650 to ensure reasonable adjustments can be made.
If you prefer not to make a submission via this online form, you can email sogii@humanrights.gov.au and attach your submission with a signed Consent Form: PDF or Word (DOCx).
Before making a submission, please make sure you have read the materials available on the project's consultation process page.
Submissions to this project will be treated as confidential. We will not publish submissions on our website. We may use material from submissions, such as quotes, case studies or other references in the report produced as a result of the project. If we do this, we will remove any personal information so that you or other people referred to in your submission cannot be identified. Organisations making a submission may expressly consent to the Commission publishing information that identifies them.
We will not release submissions to anyone without your consent unless required by law. In the case of a request under the Freedom of Information Act 1982 (Cth) there are likely to be relevant exemptions to production (including for material obtained in confidence and personal information). We would consult you about any FOI request before any decision was made about releasing information.
Information collected through submissions will be used for the purposes of the project and may be drawn upon, quoted or referred to in the project report. Submissions may also be used to inform future work by the Commission.
The Commission’s submission policy provides further information on the use, publication and access to submissions. The submission policy is located at: https://www.humanrights.gov.au/submission-policy.
The Commission also has a privacy policy that provides further information on privacy, including the collection, storage, use and disclosure of your personal information. The privacy policy is located at: https://www.humanrights.gov.au/privacy.
Making a submission recalling your experiences can be distressing. If you decide to make a submission but find that either during or after completing the submission, that relaying your experiences is causing you distress or would like further support, you can contact Androgen Insensitivity Syndrome Support Group Australia (aissgaustralia@gmail.com), Lifeline (13 11 14) or QLife (1800 184 527).
If you want any further information concerning this project or if you have any problems which may be related to your involvement in the project you can contact the project team at: sogii@humanrights.gov.au or on: (02) 9284 9650.
If you would like more information or you would like to make a complaint to the Australian Human Rights Commission, you can contact the National Information Service:
Phone: 1300 656 419 or 02 9284 9888
Email: infoservice@humanrights.gov.au
Fax: 02 9284 9611
Online: Enquiry form
TTY: 1800 620 241 (toll free)
National Relay Service:1300 555 727 (Speak and Listen) or www.relayservice.gov.au
Translating and Interpreting Service: 131 450 or www.tisnational.gov.au
You can also make a complaint online at www.humanrights.gov.au/complaints/make-complaint.
Ethics
If you are concerned about the way this project is being conducted or you wish to make a complaint to someone independent from the project, please contact the Human Research Ethics Committee of the University of Sydney using the details outlined below. Please quote the project title (Protecting the Human Rights of People Born with Variations in Sex Characteristics in the Context of Medical Interventions) and project number (2018/338).
The Manager, Ethics Administration, University of Sydney.
- Telephone: +61 2 8627 8176
- Email: human.ethics@sydney.edu.au
- Fax: +61 2 8627 8177 (Facsimile)
Fundamental to the Commission’s approach, and to the Commission’s ability to identify how to improve human rights protection in this area, is to consult with people directly affected by this issue and those with relevant expertise. This Consultation Paper aims to support that consultation process.
The Consultation Paper provides background information about the project and identifies issues and questions for further analysis and consultation. It does not present finalised research, nor does it articulate the Commission’s final position on any of the issues raised.
The Consultation Paper includes a number of questions to assist individuals and organisations who would like to provide input for this project. Those wanting to provide input do not need to be limited by the questions.
Download
Snapshots
There are also separate Snapshots for some of the main issues that arise in relation to medical interventions undertaken on people born with variations in sex characteristics: