30-year prison sentence for child abuser in Bolivia
Summary:
A man was recently sentenced to 30 years in prison for abusing his stepdaughter for five years. The abuse began when she was just 10-years-old.
The man had threatened the girl and her brother, who witnessed some of the abuse, not to tell anyone. But when their mother discovered the truth, they decided to take action.
The family, struggling financially and facing constant harassment from the abuser's relatives, were introduced to IJM and PROBOS—a group of professionals, trained by IJM, who volunteer to support survivors of sexual violence.
A committed team began working to protect the family and bring the aggressor to justice. After a year of intense work, the perpetrator was sentenced to 30 years in prison.
For the teenager and her family, this sentence marks the start of a new chapter in their lives, free from fear. Now 16 years old, she’s focused on her education and rebuilding her life, while receiving ongoing support and therapy sessions.
This result is also a symbol of hope for countless others facing the same abuse. In 2024, Bolivia’s Public Prosecutor's Office reported a 6% increase in cases of sexual and physical violence since 2022. Out of those, around a quarter involved sexual violence against children, teens, and adolescents.
Encouragingly, the fight against sexual violence against women and children in Bolivia took a decisive turn with the recent signing of an agreement between the Attorney General's Office and IJM.
The agreement outlines a clear agenda to combat impunity and enhance survivor care. One of the first initiatives launched under this agreement was an online training programme for 300 prosecutors, focused on Trauma-Informed Care principles.
During the signing ceremony, Attorney General of the State, Roger Mariaca, highlighted the importance of collaboration in addressing complex issues like sexual violence.
“This agreement proves that together we can do more to protect those who need it most,” he stated.
Looking ahead, both institutions envision significant advancements: more training programmes, improved judicial infrastructure, and the implementation of pilot projects that could serve as models for other regions in Bolivia.