In cases of extreme domestic violence causing severe lasting injuries, the offender's personal circumstances (youth, no prior violence, remorse, rehabilitation) cannot properly be treated as the decisive consideration against making a serious violent offence declaration. The exercise of the SVO discretion will usually reflect an appreciation that the offence is a more than usually serious or violent example outside 'the norm' for that type of offence. Sentencing including SVO declarations is an integrated process; if one element is removed, the whole sentence must be reconsidered. For grievous bodily harm involving sustained weapon attacks causing permanent disfigurement and disability, comparable sentences are in the range of seven years imprisonment with an SVO declaration.
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