Universal-Womens-accesss-to-justice-Publications-Practitioners-Guide-Series-2016-ENG

242 PRACTITIONERS GUIDE No. 12
Reduce penalties and/or absolve perpetrators in cases of
so-called honour crimes;
Acquit a perpetrator of violence if he subsequently
marries the woman; and
Impose lesser penalties in cases involving particular
women, perceived as less socially “valuable”, such as
sex workers or non-virgins. 651
Aggravating circumstances for the purposes of
sentencing
Sentencing should be tailored to be commensurate with harm
inflicted on women subjected to violence. Some of the factors
to be taken into account in determining appropriate sentences
include whether the violent conduct:
Consisted of repeated acts; 652
Entailed abuse of a position of trust or authority; 653
Was committed against a partner, spouse, or member of
the family; 654
Was committed against, or in the presence of, a child; 655
Was committed against a person made vulnerable by
particular circumstances; 656
Was committed by two or more people acting
together; 657
Was preceded or accompanied by extreme levels of
violence; 658
651
UN Handbook for Legislation on Violence against Women, above
note 511, page 51.
652
Updated Model Strategies and Practical Measures, above note 559,
paragraph 17(b); Istanbul Convention, above note 509, Article 46(b).
653
Updated Model Strategies and Practical Measures, above note 511,
paragraph 17(b); Istanbul Convention, above note 509, Article 46(a).
654
Updated Model Strategies and Practical Measures, above note 511,
paragraph 17(b); Istanbul Convention, above note 509, Article 46(a).
655
Updated Model Strategies and Practical Measures, above note 511,
paragraph 17(b); Istanbul Convention, above note 509, Article 46(d).
656
Istanbul Convention, above note 509, Article 46(c).
657
Ibid, Article 46(e).
658
Ibid, Article 46(f).