Greece leads Europe in conversion practices, where 38% of LGBTQ+ report abuse aiming to change sexual orientation or gender identity.
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Greece ranks first in Europe regarding the prevalence of conversion practices, abusive acts equivalent to torture aimed at changing, suppressing, or oppressing sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression, with 38% of the LGBTQ+ population reporting such experiences, according to a report by ILGA Europe based on an EU Fundamental Rights Service survey from 2023. Transgender, non-binary, and intersex individuals are more exposed to these practices. While the Council of Europe has called for a universal ban on conversion practices, Greece is seen as lagging significantly in implementing necessary measures despite its National LGBTQ+ Equality Strategy. Current legislation partially bans conversion practices for minors or those unable to care for themselves, but allows them with explicit consent from adults and fails to address practitioners acting without direct financial gain, such as religious figures. An investigation by Orlando LGBT highlighted that the current law denies victims of adult conversion practices the ability to seek justice, noting that most victims are between 18 and 25 years old. In contrast, Spain has implemented comprehensive national bans on all forms of conversion practice, even with consent, backed by significant fines. Conversion practices in Greece often occur privately or within religious settings, taking forms such as spiritual guidance or pseudo-therapeutic sessions aimed at suppressing sexual orientation or gender identity.
