Bolivia has the highest rates of sexual violence against women and girls in all of South America.  One in three girls suffer some form of sexual violence before the age of 18.  Bolivia’s Defensor del Pueblo reported that 7 in 10 women in Bolivia suffer sexual violence sometime during their lives, but only 2% of persons charged with sexual offenses are convicted.  The toxicity of Bolivia’s machismo culture is compounded by severe poverty, chronic political instability, a collapsed justice system, and harmful legislation that make it extremely difficult for survivors of sexual violence to seek justice and healing. 

One Day’s Wages partnered with A Breeze of Hope so that 85 child survivors of sexual violence and 365 of their supportive, non-offending family members received free therapy, legal advocacy, educational assistance and vocational training.  Children participated in a variety of individual and group therapy sessions alongside yoga, art, dance and mindfulness.  Legal advocates accompanied families during every aspect of the legal process, including prosecution and appeals. Children also received tutoring or after-school support, and adolescents were supported to establish financial independence.  As a result, 81% of girls experienced significant improvements in their self esteem, 91% are able to articulate their dreams for the future, and 100% of high school seniors were able to graduate.  In addition, 97% of the 64 trials held this year resulted in convictions: a huge win for survivors!