New sentencing guidelines under the Sentencing and Penalties Decree come into effect from the 1st of next month.

Under the new decree, the guidelines are clear that the courts have to take into account a number of factors before handing down sentencing.

For domestic violence, a court must also have regard to any special considerations relating to the physical, psychological or other characteristics of a victim of the offence.

These factors include the age of the victim, whether the victim was pregnant and whether the victim suffered any disability.

The Sentencing and Penalties Decree also states that factors on whether a child or children were present when the offence was committed, or were otherwise affected by the offence, should also be taken into account.

Before passing the sentencing, the effect of the offence in terms of hardship, dislocation or other difficulties experienced by a victim should also be assessed.

The courts also need to consider whether the offender may still pose a threat to the victim and whether the offender has sought and received counselling or other assistance to address the offending behaviour.