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Ipas Bolivia trains FELCV officers from La Paz and El Alto in sexual violence victim care

Dec 12, 2025 | Ipas in Action

Ipas Bolivia, with the support of the Canadian Embassy, held a training workshop on comprehensive care for victims of sexual violence for personnel of the Bolivian Police’s Special Force to Combat Violence “Genoveva Ríos” (FELCV). The activity took place on December 9 and 10 in the city of La Paz, with the participation of 30 police officers from La Paz and El Alto.

The workshop is part of the Training of Trainers (ToT) model that Ipas Bolivia has implemented since previous years, training 26 trainers nationwide and replicating the training in Tarija, Santa Cruz, Chuquisaca, Cochabamba and El Alto. In 2025, the training was held in La Paz for officers from the Departmental Directorate of the FELCV and the Regional Directorate of El Alto, with approximately 200 officers. The contents were taught by facilitators previously trained by the FELCV, with technical support from Ipas Bolivia.

“I would like to thank Ipas for the constant support it provides to the FELCV in La Paz, El Alto and the south of the department. These trainings are very valuable, especially to refresh knowledge of more experienced personnel and provide new tools for the attention of cases, as well as to strengthen inter-institutional work with the Prosecutor’s Office. Thanks to this training, we have identified actions that we can improve, which is fundamental to optimize our work.”
My. Luis Fernando Aguilar, Departmental Director FELCV La Paz a.i.

During the two days, participants learned about tools to improve victim assistance, optimize the reporting process, standardize the chain of custody and strengthen inter-institutional coordination. The training included technical presentations, dynamics of Values Clarification and Attitude Assurance (AVTA), analysis of the legal framework, including Law 348, and practices on the proper handling of the evidence box.

Among the central topics addressed were the Model of Comprehensive Care for Victims of Sexual Violence, reporting protocols, interview techniques, situational prevention of sexual crimes and the importance of masculinities in the reproduction or prevention of gender-based violence. Ipas Bolivia provided key legal inputs for an adequate institutional response. In addition, methodological tools were developed to strengthen police action from a rights-based approach and with sensitivity to victims.

“The course is very good and dynamic; I am learning a lot of new information that complements the knowledge we were missing. This training helps us directly in the functions we perform on a daily basis. It is very important that people who have suffered violence go to the FELCV, because they will receive adequate and safe attention. We want to motivate them to report to guarantee their protection.”
Sub-officer Ruth Vargas Condori, FELCV Centro police personnel, Plataforma.

Luis Fernando Aguilar, Ipas Bolivia Program Manager Adela Yapu, and the team of facilitators from the FELCV General Directorate: Lt. Álvaro Miranda, Lt. José Eduardo Machaca and Lic. Jenny Luz Portugal Durán, with the support of Ipas Bolivia specialists Rimac Zubieta and Carmen Arguedas.

The event concluded by highlighting the FELCV’s commitment to strengthening the comprehensive care and protection of victims of sexual violence at the national level.