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Conviction Secured against Rapist in Bolivia
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Tuesday, 16 December 2008
LA PAZ, BOLIVIA - Over the past six years, there have been an average of three rape convictions annually in the La Paz region, a metropolitan area with more than 2.5 million residents. IJM Bolivia, which became operational in 2007, has secured four convictions this year – effectively more than doubling the region’s rape convictions. IJM Bolivia will continue to stand for the region’s vulnerable children – demonstrating that perpetrators can no longer act with impunity. Read on for the story of one girl whose life has been changed as a result of steady advocacy.

Luti* is a shy and quiet girl from La Paz, Bolivia, one of a poor family of 11 children. When she was 14 years old, the physical education teacher at her school began sexually abusing her, threatening to harm her and her five younger siblings who attended the same school if she spoke up about the abuse she faced. Terrorized, Luti told no one.

The abuse persisted for three years, until Luti discovered she was pregnant in November of 2006. After six months, she could no longer keep the abuse secret; her parents, Juan and Filomena, learned of the trauma their daughter had been enduring. They reported the situation to the principal of the school immediately. When they confronted the teacher together, he admitted his actions. The principal and Luti’s parents reported the case to the police, and Luti’s abuser was arrested.

“Vulnerable and Defenseless”
It was shortly after this that Juan and Filomena realized how vulnerable and defenseless they and Luti truly were. They had no money for a lawyer. They knew if they didn’t have a lawyer, no one would pay attention to them. Juan and Filomena reported the case to the child welfare agency in El Alto, but it was soon forgotten in the overwhelming caseload the agency dealt with.

One day, a social worker from the child welfare agency told Juan and Filomena to go to International Justice Mission for help. Determined to see justice done for their daughter, Luti’s parents brought their daughter IJM Bolivia in June 2007. The staff assured the family that they would do everything possible to help her voice be heard.

Facing Challenges
Luti gave birth to a healthy baby girl in August 2007. Even with IJM’s help, the next few months were challenging for Luti and her parents. There seemed to be more people eager to defend the aggressor than were ready to speak out for Luti. Important documents that would have greatly assisted in proving his guilt mysteriously “disappeared”. Eventually, the teacher even started denying that he had ever touched Luti.

Finally, after a lengthy trial and many delays, Luti’s abuser was sentenced to 12 years in prison on October 2, 2008.
At times, it seemed like a hopeless case. But IJM’s team remained committed to standing with Luti and her family. IJM’s psychologist worked with Luti to help her love and care for her baby. IJM secured clothing, food and toys for the baby. A partner NGO was able to provide the family with a small amount of financial support.

Success in Court
After three attempts, IJM was able to convince the prosecutor to order a blood sample to prove that the teacher was the father of Luti’s baby. The DNA test proved positive, and in January 2008 formal charges of rape were laid against the teacher. Finally, after a lengthy trial and many delays, Luti’s abuser was sentenced to 12 years in prison on October 2, 2008.

This month, Luti will graduate from high school. Luti and her daughter still live with Juan and Filomena, who have never stopped supporting their daughter with love and understanding. In a region where only one percent of reported rapes ever result in a conviction, this was a great victory for Luti, for her parents, and for IJM. IJM Bolivia will continue to stand for other families like Luti’s, so that perpetrators cannot act with impunity.
 
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