Latin American Lawmakers Propose Penalties for False Violence Reports

Lawmakers in Bolivia, Chile, Argentina, and Peru have proposed legislation to increase penalties and establish new legal procedures for individuals who make false reports of domestic, sexual, or gender-based violence. In Bolivia, Argentina, and Peru, the proposed measures include prison sentences of up to six years for false allegations.

Vanessa Kaiser, a Chilean senator, proposed a special procedure for false complaints in family court proceedings, stating she wants to be the first minister in the west to defend men. In Bolivia, Senator José Manuel Ormachea advocated for regulations to counterbalance Law 348, arguing that false accusations act as a tumor in society.

Women's rights organizations and the monitoring body Mesecvi warn that these coordinated efforts risk discouraging victims from reporting actual abuse. Critics highlight that false reports are statistically rare, representing approximately 0.1% of cases in Argentina and Bolivia, while most gender-based violence remains unreported. Advocates view the movement as part of a broader conservative campaign against feminism and gender ideology across the region.