“LET NO ONE CUT YOUR WINGS”

YOUTH PERCEPTIONS AND INSTITUTIONAL RESPONSES TO INTIMATE PARTNER VIOLENCE IN BOLIVIA

Abstract

This article analyzes intimate partner violence among young university students in Cochabamba, within the framework of the project “Que nadie te corte las alas.” The main objective is to identify students’ perceptions of violence, the attributed causes, its manifestations, and the most recognized support mechanisms, in order to contribute to the design of a comprehensive prevention guide. The research adopts a qualitative; quantitative approach, combining surveys conducted among students at Universidad Privada del Valle (Univalle) with a normative analysis of Law No. 348 and other national and international instruments. Findings reveal that over 90% of students perceive intimate partner violence as a serious problem, with psychological violence identified as the most prevalent (90%), followed by physical (8%) and digital (2%) forms. Key factors include jealousy, machismo, and emotional dependence. Regarding institutional responses, most students indicated they would seek support from the Special Force to Combat Violence (FELCV), followed by the Bolivian Police and the Municipal Integral Legal Service (SLIM), though gaps in trust and knowledge about specialized services remain. It is concluded that prevention requires not only the effective enforcement of existing legislation, but also educational, community, and family-based processes that challenge patriarchal cultural patterns and foster relationships grounded in equality and respect.