Fridae

A major new report from the European Union’s Agency for Fundamental Rights has warned that intersex people across Europe are facing a sharp rise in violence, harassment and forced medical interventions. The findings are based on a survey of nearly 2,000 people who are intersex, transgender, non-binary or otherwise gender diverse, across 30 European countries.

The figures are troubling. Physical and sexual attacks against intersex people rose from 22 percent in 2019 to 34 percent in 2023. Hate-motivated harassment nearly doubled, climbing from 42 percent to 74 percent. More than half of respondents reported that they had undergone medical interventions without their informed consent. A further 39 percent said they had experienced so-called conversion practices, which international human rights groups classify as harmful and degrading.

The report notes that misinformation and hostile public debate about gender identity have fueled these rising numbers. Politicians and media outlets in some countries have spread disinformation about gender diversity, which researchers say makes people less safe in their daily lives. The agency called on governments to ensure that public institutions do not contribute to stigma, and that they promote inclusion instead.

Medical practices were a major focus of the report. Intersex advocacy groups have long warned that surgeries and treatments are often carried out on intersex children without consent. These procedures, which may include surgery to alter genital appearance, are sometimes justified as being in the child’s best interest. But intersex adults say these interventions leave lasting physical and psychological scars. The survey results support these claims, showing how common such practices remain in European hospitals.

The agency recommended stronger legal safeguards, including specific laws that ban non-consensual medical interventions on intersex children. It also urged member states to ensure access to appropriate healthcare for gender diverse people, and to provide clear information so that patients can give or withhold consent. Advocates stress that such laws would bring Europe in line with international human rights standards.

The rise in violence and harassment has been linked to the spread of hate speech and the growth of anti-LGBTQ+ movements. Campaigners point to an increase in online abuse, as well as threats and attacks during pride marches or other community events. Police protection is inconsistent, with some countries providing strong safeguards while others fail to respond effectively to reports of hate crime.

Despite the grim statistics, the report also highlights resilience. Many intersex people said they had found support through grassroots networks, NGOs and online communities. These connections provide safe spaces to share experiences, access information, and push for change. The survey shows that where local support services exist, people report feeling safer and more able to cope with discrimination.

The findings come at a time when the European Union is pushing for stronger action on equality. The agency called on governments to close gaps in national law, ensure training for medical professionals and police, and make sure that public campaigns include positive representation of intersex and gender diverse people. Without these measures, the report warns, violence and stigma will continue to rise.

The EU’s Equality Commissioner welcomed the findings as a wake-up call. In a statement, the Commissioner said no one in Europe should live in fear because of their sex characteristics or gender identity. They promised that the report would inform new policy proposals aimed at ending harmful medical practices and improving protection from hate crime.

For intersex advocates, the report is both painful and necessary. It confirms what many have said for years: that discrimination and abuse remain widespread, and that urgent action is needed. By putting data behind those claims, the report gives campaigners new tools to demand accountability. Whether governments listen will determine if Europe can truly be a safe place for all its people.