New law toughens penalty for gender violence in Chile

SANTIAGO, Chile – A law expanding punishment for violence against women was signed into law Monday by Chilean President Sebastián Piñera.

The measure, named the “Gabriela Law” in honour of a young woman killed by an ex-boyfriend in 2018, sets penalties for femicide — killing a woman because of her gender — from 15 years to life.

It also covers attackers other than the spouses or partners referred to in the previous law focused on domestic violence, and eliminates violent emotion as a mitigating factor in sentencing.

It defines covers crimes against women as any that “represent a manifestation of hatred, contempt or abuse because of gender,” and covers physical, sexual, economic, institutional, political and workplace violence.