UK Considers Chemical Castration for Sex Offenders in New Crime Crackdown

The UK government is reportedly weighing a controversial plan to chemically castrate rapists and child sex offenders as part of a broader effort to reduce repeat offenses and protect the public.

Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood is said to be reviewing proposals to introduce the treatment in 20 prisons across England and Wales, according to reports. The move comes ahead of a major national initiative aimed at tackling sex crimes more aggressively.

Research shows that certain medications can reduce sex-related criminal behavior by nearly two-thirds and significantly curb dangerous sexual urges.

Mahmood is also exploring whether chemical castration should become a formal option for dealing with sexual predators across the UK, signaling a tough new stance on the issue.

“For too long, we’ve ignored the ongoing threat posed by sex offenders because the solutions seemed too extreme or uncomfortable,” a government source told The Sun. “Shabana isn’t afraid to take bold steps to protect the public.”

The government has reportedly ruled out a limited, voluntary trial of the treatment, calling it insufficiently strict.

Chemical castration has already been used in several U.S. states, including California, typically as a condition of parole for sex offenders.

Support for such measures is growing. A February poll by Find Out Now found that 67% of respondents under 30 support chemical castration for sex offenders, while only 24% oppose it—reflecting a tough-on-crime mindset among younger generations.

In some European countries like Germany, France, Sweden, and Denmark, chemical castration is available on a voluntary basis. Some offenders even seek it out themselves.

The treatment typically involves two drugs: one to suppress sexual thoughts and another to reduce testosterone levels and lower sex drive.

Cyprus has floated the idea of offering the procedure as an alternative to life imprisonment for certain offenders.

The UK’s discussions follow news out of Kazakhstan, where authorities announced plans to chemically castrate 11 convicted pedophiles. Officials there described the action as part of a broader effort to impose some of the harshest penalties for sex crimes in the world.

All 11 men had reportedly committed crimes against children in the northern Kostanay region. Under the new rules, they’ll receive monthly libido-suppressing injections, with each case costing the government around £278 annually for 24 doses a year.

Kazakhstan’s crackdown also includes the possibility of surgical castration for the most dangerous repeat offenders.