Bolivia is among the five Latin American countries with the highest number of cases of violence against women. In La Paz alone, 31 cases are reported each day. In the first half of 2014, cases total 5,622. Authorities report that the violence has its roots in a partriachal and "machistic" (sexist) culture, in which violence against women is considered normal. A law adressing violence against women came into effect two years ago, which increased denunciations of violence but failed to sanction those who committed it. Now, additions to the law create a clear legal route to severe punishments for aggressors. teleSUR.