“Shocking Report Reveals Alarming Violence Against Intersex Individuals in Europe”
In a startling revelation, a new report from the EU Rights Agency (FRA) has uncovered that one in six intersex individuals faced physical assault in 2022, highlighting a troubling trend of discrimination and harassment that persists unabated.
The report, which surveyed approximately 2,000 intersex people across 30 EU and Western Balkan countries, indicates that this community is the only LGBTQ+ group that has not seen a decrease in discrimination since a similar survey in 2019. The findings suggest a grim reality: one in three intersex respondents reported experiencing physical or sexual assault within the last five years, a staggering rate that is three times higher than that of the broader LGBTQ+ population.
The psychological toll is equally distressing, with 53% of those surveyed revealing they contemplated suicide in the previous year. The report also sheds light on troubling medical practices, revealing that 57% of respondents underwent procedures to alter their biological makeup without informed consent, and 39% had faced “conversion” gender-changing procedures.
Intersex individuals, who are born with natural variations in their sexual characteristics, often find themselves caught in a web of stereotypes and disinformation. The European Parliament has emphasized the need for awareness and understanding of the challenges faced by this community, particularly in light of ongoing disinformation campaigns targeting LGBTQ+ individuals in the EU.
This sobering report serves as a call to action for society to confront these injustices and foster a more inclusive environment for all.