Subjective experiences and psychological effects in victims of injuries from less lethal weapons on victims during the social uprising in Chile

In October 2019, Chile experienced a social uprising due to discontent with the State's economic policies, which sparked mass protests. The law enforcement response included the use of less lethal weapons, which inflicted serious injuries on protesters. This study focuses on exploring the experiences and psychological effects on victims of such weapons using a qualitative phenomenological methodology. To this end, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 10 young men from two regions in Chile, namely the north and south, who had suffered these aggressions. The main results indicated that the injuries caused a turning point for the participants, affecting their physical and mental capacity. All of them experienced persistent negative emotions such as anger and fear, as well as symptoms of depression and anxiety. The injuries also significantly impacted their family relationships and their ability to work, irreparably altering their life plans in some cases. Nevertheless, some expressed the intention to continue participating in social movements. The conclusions underscore the need to review public policies on the use of less lethal weapons, proposing legislative discussions to restrict their use due to the physical and psychological harm they cause. In addition, it highlights the importance of creating support and reparation programs for victims, especially in regions far from the capital, promoting adequate access to justice, and avoiding institutional revictimization. This research also highlights the relevance of recognizing and repairing the impact of State violence on social demonstrations.