A new report from the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA) quantifies “the significant increase” in violence against intersex people since 2019 and its consequences: one in two had contemplated suicide in the year preceding the survey.
Intersex people are the only LGBTQI+ minority to have seen discrimination factors rise since 2019. After a first edition six years ago, the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA) publishes this Wednesday, September 17, a new eye-opening report dedicated to the violence and harassment experienced by intersex people. It is based on a sample of 1,920 people interviewed in 2023 across 30 countries, including the European Union and the Western Balkan countries.
“One in three (34%) has been physically or sexually assaulted” in the five years preceding the survey, notes the report, which states that these violences are in “significant increase compared to 2019”. At that time, they affected one in five (22%). Thus, today, intersex people are three times more likely than the overall LGBTQI+ population to report violence against them.
Surgical Interventions and “Conversion”
A little more than half of the interviewed individuals (57%) were victims of surgical interventions or other treatments aimed at altering their sexual characteristics “without their informed consent“. 39% underwent “conversion” practices, claiming to change their sexual orientation or gender identity.
These violences have mental health consequences: one in two intersex people (53%) contemplated suicide in the past year. It was 37% in 2019. The FRA thus warns that intersex people represent “an extremely marginalized group”.
Whose fault is it? For more than two out of three respondents (69%), this increase is the result of “the negative attitude and rhetoric of politicians”. The report also highlights the responsibility of online misinformation, which targets “particularly transgender and intersex groups, about whom the majority of the population has little knowledge”.
The Agency recommends, among other things, that the European Union and all its member states add a clear reference to intersex status among the grounds for discrimination. “Being an intersex person, living an orientation or gender identity deemed non-conforming, socio-economic conditions that can be limited by disabilities, facing financial difficulties or belonging to a minority, are important factors that lead to difficult life experiences. The report provides data and arguments to defend an intersectional approach to the law and policies protecting fundamental rights for intersex people”, one can read. It remains to be seen whether there is the willingness to implement a protection policy for these people.
