Reflections on the new Honduran criminal code regarding violence against women

Abstract

Justification: Violence against women is a serious public health problem that deeply affects the lives of victims and their families. In Honduras, 50% of women over 15 years of age have been victims of some type of violence.
Objective: This paper reflects on the need to strengthen the legal instruments of our country, especially the new Penal Code, so that it facilitates true justice and reparation for victims.
Conclusion: Although the new Penal Code (Decree No. 130-2017 of January 18, 2018) recognizes significant advances such as the inclusion of new criminal types, previously nonexistent, however, the abstract penalties for these crimes as well as for crimes of family abuse are among the lowest on the continent, which undoubtedly favors the incidence and reiteration of the cycle of violence in our country.