
One photographer has captured the shocking realities of the torturous facilities in Ecuador that supposedly 'cure' homosexuality.

Inside the clinics, artist Paola Peredes, 31, discovered innumerable horrors including withholding food, forced prayer, and even 'corrective rape'.

Many of these facilities - which exist not only in Ecuador, but elsewhere in South America, Europe, and beyond - continue to operate under the guise that they treat drug and alcohol addicts, when in reality they serve a much more horrifying purpose.

Exposed: Photographer Paola Peredes's latest series recreates the torturous conditions found in Ecuadorian homosexual rehabilitation clinics

Dark secrets: In these clinics, patients are often subjected to starvation, forced prayer, and even 'corrective rape' for both men and women

Firsthand accounts: Peredes, 31, went undercover into one of the clinics, posing as a potential patient; she also interviewed past patients about their experiences in the clinics

Photographer Peredes, herself a lesbian, first learned about the clinics from a friend back in 2013. As Peredes began to explore her sexuality more and more, she felt compelled to create a photo series based on the clinics.

'The thought that I could be locked up in one of these clinics myself lingered in my mind for years,' she told Huck Magazine. 'I think, deep down, I knew I had to create something about it.'

Before actually visiting one of the clinics, Peredes said she spent several months conducting research and interviewing former patients about their experiences.

In order to gain access to a clinic, Peredes enlisted the help of her parents.

Though they are accepting of their daughter's sexuality in real life, Peredes had them pose as potential 'clients.' Peredes accompanied them on a tour while wearing a microphone inside her shirt.

It could have been me: Peredes felt compelled to create the photo series after imagining what her life could have been like if her family was not accepting of her homosexuality

Starring role: Not wanting to subject her friends to psychological difficulty, Peredes chose to pose in all of the photos herself

Suffering: In addition to the psychological trauma, patients at these clinics are also punished with physical beatings

Though she knew she was not in harm's way, Peredes said the visit was difficult: 'Honestly, I was terrified: sweating profusely and shaking a bit the whole time.'

Actually taking the photographs was equally as exhausting. Peredes didn't wish to subject friends or ex-patients to the difficult reenactments the photos show. Instead, she used herself as the focal point of the 'treatment.'

The intense images that were produced as a result of the tear-filled shoot depict daily life for one of the clinic's patients: scrubbing toilets, receiving beatings, eating disgusting food, and undergoing religious-based punishment.

Intimidation, both emotional and physical, is used to keep patients in line. Those committed are only allowed to check out when they are believed by clinic staff to have been 'cured' of their homosexuality.

A 'real' woman: Female patients can be forced to wear makeup, skirts, and high heels in an attempt to 'feminize' them

Under scrutiny: Patients at the clinics are carefully monitored by staff, who are the only ones determining if one is 'cured' enough to be released

A few minutes of peace: Patients are heavily monitored and rarely alone - they receive just seven minutes of solitude for a daily shower

Religious reflection: Many of the clinics are centered around strict religious rhetoric, which patients are forced to study

Peredes said she began the project with the aim of closing the clinics, but now sees that goal was 'a completely naïve approach.'

'After the extensive research and interviews with activists, organisations and lawyers, I have come to learn that closing these places is almost impossible,' she told Huck. 'They operate like a mafia: with a giant network and a lot of corruption.

'The only thing we can do is educate people; teach acceptance and tolerance. And the only thing I can do with my images is create awareness. In a way it makes me bitter to think that it’s not enough.'

Homosexuality has, in fact, been legal in Ecuador since 1997. Still, a reported 200 of these clinics still exist in the country. Many point to the deeply-religious culture as the reason behind the heavily anti-gay attitude present in Ecuador's society and government. While Peredes may see it as naïve, many activists continue to work towards the closure of the clinics.

Struggling: Mandatory exercise occurs as part of a daily regime of activities

Force feeding:When patients refuse to eat as a form of protest, they are forcibly given a concoction of what is believed to be coffee, toilet water, and chlorine

Chores: Scrubbing a toilet with bare hands is one of the commonly-reported tasks of a patient

Threats and intimidation: No form of abuse is off-limits at these clinics, many of which masquerade as drug and alcohol rehabilitation centers

Draining: Peredes said that, even though the photos were staged, the shoot was still very emotionally draining

An unfortunate irony: Despite the fact that homosexuality has been legal in Ecuador since 1997, more than 200 of these clinics reportedly continue to operate