Woman Sues Health Service, Says She Was Pushed into Gender Transition Despite Mental Issues

A woman has told of her ongoing suffering and permanent injuries from being referred for gender treatment despite her mental health challenges.

A surgeon holding a metal scalpel. Shutterstock

A 33-year-old woman has launched a civil lawsuit against two doctors and Monash Health, claiming she suffered significant, irreversible injuries from gender treatments while her mental health was not adequately addressed.

Mel Jefferies launched the legal action with the County Court of Victoria.

Jefferies alleges that Victoria’s largest public health service and two doctors who supported her transition from female to male, failed to deliver the standard of care recognised by the World Professional Association for Transgender Health, reported The Age newspaper.

The duty of care asserts that anyone experiencing mental health challenges should have their condition well-managed prior to undertaking treatment.

Jefferies says she did not feel her mental health was being adequately addressed, as doctors prescribed testosterone and a double mastectomy.

She claims she has suffered long-term effects, including a more masculine voice, excess body hair, genital and urinary abnormalities, body odour, and acne.

Jefferies says she was “affirmed” as male for years by professionals, despite her sense of gender changing regularly, and had tried to “pull away” but was repeatedly pulled back to a trans diagnosis.

Monash Health said it would not comment on the matter as it was before a court.

“As this matter relates to confidential patient information and is before the courts, Monash Health cannot comment at this time,” a spokesperson told The Epoch Times.

Women’s Forum Australia CEO Rachael Wong said Jefferies was “one of the bravest women I’ve met,” describing her experience as a journey to “hell and back.”

“How many more young people must be subjected to this medical abuse before Australia acts, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese?” Wong asked.

The case has also drawn the attention of the Australian Christian Lobby, which also praised the woman’s bravery.

“Despite struggling with serious mental health challenges, Mel was prescribed testosterone and underwent a double mastectomy—without thorough psychological evaluation,” the group said in a statement.

“Mel’s experience highlights the urgent need for proper mental health assessments before life-altering medical interventions.

“We must ensure that vulnerable individuals are treated with genuine care, caution, and compassion—not rushed down a path that may bring irreversible harm.”

The Human Rights Law Alliance (HRLA) says Jefferies’ case could ultimately represent a test case for the duty of care owed by doctors to patients undergoing gender procedures.

The group says the case highlights the need for medical professionals to also have freedom of conscience if they feel gender treatments are unsuitable.

“It also demonstrates the need to protect freedom of speech so that these ideas can be discussed openly and confused young people can be given genuine alternatives,” the HRLA said in a statement.