ARTICLE 308. (Rape). Anyone who, through intimidation, physical or psychological violence, performs, with a
person of either sex, non-consensual sexual acts that involve carnal access, through penetration of the virile
member, or any other part of the body, or any object, vaginally, anal or orally, for libidinous purposes; and
who, under the same circumstances, even if there was no physical violence or intimidation, takes advantage
of the victim's serious mental illness or intellectual disability or who was incapable of resisting for any other
reason, will be punished with deprivation of liberty for a period of fifteen (15) to twenty (20) years..
44. Furthermore, this law modified the crime of rape of an infant, girl, boy or adolescent in the
following terms:
Article 308 bis. (Rape of an infant, child or adolescent). If the crime of rape is committed against a person
of either sex under fourteen (14) years of age, it will be punished with imprisonment of twenty (20) to
twenty-five (25) years, even if there is no use of force or intimidation and consent is alleged.
If any of the aggravating circumstances provided in Article 310 of the Penal Code are evident, and the
sentence reaches thirty (30) years, the sentence will be without the right to pardon.
Consensual relationships between adolescents over twelve (12) years of age are exempt from this
punishment, as long as there is no age difference of more than three (3) years between them and no
violence or intimidation has occurred.
45. Current criminal legislation - with the modifications noted - also considers incest54 as an
aggravating factor for crimes of sexual violence. It also provides for other aggravating factors as set
out below:
a) Any of the circumstances provided for in Articles 270 and 271 of this Code [(minor, serious and very serious
injuries)] occur as a result of the rape;
b) The event occurs in front of children or adolescents; […]
g) The perpetrator is in charge of the education or custody of the victim, or if the victim is in a situation of
dependence on them or under their authority; […]
l) In the case of the crime of rape, the victim is over fourteen (14) and under eighteen (18) years of age;
m) The perpetrator has committed the act on more than one occasion against the victim; […]
o) The perpetrator was an ancestor, descendant or relative within the fourth degree of kinship or second
degree of family relationship; […]
C.
Steps taken by the family of Brisa De Angulo Losada prior to the complaint filed
with the state authorities
46. Brisa's parents became aware of the sexual violence that their daughter was suffering when,
during a trip to the United States, one of her older brothers, after having noticed negative changes
in her behavior, read her diary and discovered that something was happening.55 After learning
about the acts of sexual violence, Brisa's father had to return to Bolivia for a few days for work
reasons. During his stay in Bolivia, he sought “advice from friends” about the events that occurred,
to which they recommended that he go to the Defense for Children International56 (hereinafter
“DCI”). Thus, on July 15, 2002, he reported the facts to DCI57 in Cochabamba, where they advised
him that the girl should receive therapy.58 On July 18, 2002, after his return to the United States,
Brisa's father and her mother decided to take her to a therapist who recommended they go to the
54
Reference is made to incest here according to the definition contained in the Bolivian Penal Code, that is, in cases of
sexual violence committed by “an ancestor, descendant or relative within the fourth degree of consanguinity or second degree
of affinity.”
55
Cf. Statement of José Miguel De Angulo, supra (evidence file, folio 11445); Social Report of the Defense of Children
International, Bolivia Section of August 21, 2008 (evidence file, folio 7233); Letter from Brisa De Angulo Losada, supra
(evidence file, folio 7246), and Statement from Luz Stella Losada during the public hearing, supra.
56
Cf. Statement of José Miguel De Angulo, supra (evidence file, folio 11445).
The DNI is a non-governmental organization that is responsible for the protection of children and adolescents. Cf.
Website of the Defense of Children International. Available at: https://defenceforchildren.org/about-us/
57
58
Cf. Statement of José Miguel De Angulo, supra (evidence file, folio 11445), and psychological certification carried
out by the DNI psychologist on August 7, 2002 (evidence file, folio 7850).
15