BRISA DE ANGULO
A survivor and activist changing Bolivia's response to child sexual abuse
As a child, Brisa De Angulo had big dreams. Her life revolved around doing what she could for her community – but when she was sexually abused at age 15, everything changed. After months of rape, sexual abuse and emotional trauma, De Angulo thought her life was coming to an end. Luckily for the children of Bolivia, however, she received the support she needed to overcome her challenges. Today, she runs Bolivia’s first-ever centre for child survivors of sexual abuse.
De Angulo opened the doors of A Breeze of Hope when she was just 17, and ever since, has helped more than 2,000 children access free legal, social and psychological support after experiencing sexual abuse, along with 8,000 of their non-offending family members. A Breeze of Hope has also changed the country’s response to prosecuting aggressors of child sexual abuse, securing a 95 per cent conviction rate with the clients they bring to court. As our latest End Violence Champion, De Angulo shares her experiences with sexual abuse, strength and survival, and urges others to join her in the fight against child abuse across the world.