On August 13, 1996, Law 230, presenting reforms and additions to the Penal Code was passed almost unanimously. This law recognizes intra-family violence as a crime against public order, established protection measures and the crime of psychological injury and eliminated the crimes of illicit union and adultery from the Penal Code. In December of the same year, the Health Ministry recognized intra-family violence as a serious public health problem in Nicaragua by means of a ministerial agreement. Law 230 provides that economic, physical and psychological protection be given to victims of domestic violence in Nicaragua.
Law 230 reforms the Criminal Code through the:
• Establishment of security measures (such as restraining orders, etc.);
• Recognition of the infliction of psychological injuries as a criminal
offence, as well as the definition of psychological harm and the
acknowledgment that this may constitute one of the effects of domestic
violence. Before this reform, only visible (physical) injuries were
recognized. This law includes some acts of domestic violence in the
criminal sphere instead of treating them as only relevant to civil or
family law;
• Annulment of adultery as an offence;
