The law punishes grooming, online sexual deception of minors, and distribution of child sexual abuse material on the Internet.

On Wednesday, Bolivian President Luis Arce enacted the Law for the Protection of the Sexual Integrity of Children and Adolescents in Digital Environments.

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Promoted by the Attorney General’s Office, the law introduces new criminal offenses to punish crimes such as grooming, online sexual deception of minors, and the distribution of child sexual abuse material on the Internet.

Arce highlighted that the legislation was approved unanimously by the Plurinational Legislative Assembly, emphasizing that it “creates a solid regulatory framework to identify, investigate, and punish those who commit crimes against the sexual integrity of minors” on digital platforms and media outlets.

Attorney General Roger Mariaca expressed satisfaction with the enactment, calling it “a fundamental step to safeguard the safety of Bolivian children and adolescents.”

Originally proposed in April, the bill was passed by the Lower House last week after approval in the Senate, leaving only Arce’s signature for it to become law.

The Public Ministry explained that the law establishes a robust regulatory framework to identify, investigate, and punish offenders with prison terms when crimes are committed against minors’ sexual integrity in any digital environment. Under the law:

*. Contact with minors for sexual purposes is punishable by three to six years in prison.

*. Digital sexual abuse carries four to eight years of imprisonment.

*. Sentences will be increased by one-third if the victim has a disability, belongs to an Indigenous group, or if the perpetrator is a religious leader, spiritual guide, or member of the education system, among other aggravating circumstances.

*. Exposure of minors to sexual content online will be penalized with three to six years in prison.

*. Production of child sexual abuse material will carry 15 to 20 years of imprisonment.

*. Possession, storage, purchase, or sale of such material will result in five to 15 years in prison.

The law also introduces reforms to the Code of Criminal Procedure, incorporating new protective measures tailored to child victims of digital crimes. In addition, it contains a chapter on mechanisms for prevention, care, and restoration of sexual integrity of minors in digital environments.

These provisions include requiring educational authorities to implement awareness campaigns and strategies to inform about risks and protective measures for children using technology.

teleSUR/ JF

Source: EFE

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