IJM partner in Bolivia helps achieve justice in less than a month
Sexual Violence
March 2024
An IJM-trained partner just helped convict a music teacher in Bolivia, who sexually assaulted Carina* when she was only eight years old.
When IJM received Carina’s case in February 2024, her family had been struggling to obtain justice for nine long years.
Less than a month after IJM’s partner took on the case, the perpetrator was sentenced to 12 years in prison. It was a day of celebration and relief for Carina and her family.
When Carina was sexually abused at school, her father hired an attorney to help pursue justice. But, after several years of legal proceedings, Carina’s parents could no longer afford legal representation.
As a result, at the end of 2023, Carina’s case hearing was suspended. It was then that the judge overseeing the case advised Carina’s father to reach out to IJM for help.
The judge had heard about IJM’s partner, a multidisciplinary team of lawyers, social workers and psychologists who provide free legal and psychosocial support to victims of sexual violence.
Carina, now 16 years old, is set to begin therapy sessions with a trusted psychologist. She still has a long recovery road ahead, but IJM’s partner will walk with her every step towards emotional healing.
Learn more about IJM's work to protect women and children from violence >>
*Pseudonym and stock image used to protect survivor's identity.