A/HRC/31/57 girls, and lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex persons; and that the introduction of discriminatory evidence and the harassment of victims and witnesses are strictly prohibited.42 The standards established by international courts should serve as an example for domestic courts to follow, for instance by implementing institutional gender-balance requirements and prohibiting the admission of evidence regarding the victims’ prior sexual conduct in cases of sexual, domestic and other gender-based violence. IV. Conclusions and recommendations 68. States have a heightened obligation to prevent and combat gender-based violence and discrimination against women, girls, and lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex persons that amount to torture and ill-treatment, committed in a variety of contexts by both State and actors. In assessing the level of pain and suffering experienced by victims of gender-based violence, States must examine the totality of the circumstances, including the victim��s social status; extant discriminatory legal, normative and institutional frameworks that reinforce gender stereotypes and exacerbate harm; and the long-term impact on victims’ physical and psychological well-being, enjoyment of other human rights and their ability to pursue life goals. The provision of comprehensive reparations, including monetary compensation, rehabilitation, satisfaction and guarantees of non-repetition, is essential and must be accompanied by diverse measures and reforms designed to combat inequality and legal, structural and socioeconomic conditions that perpetuate genderbased discrimination. Urgent interim reparations designed to respond to the immediate needs of victims of gender-based violence, including rehabilitation and access to physical and mental health care, should also be provided where necessary. 69. States must repeal all laws that support the discriminatory and patriarchal oppression of women, inter alia laws that exclude marital rape from the crime of rape or grant pardon to rapists who marry their victims and laws that criminalize adultery. In addition, States must decriminalize same-sex relationships between consenting adults and repeal all laws that criminalize persons on the basis of their actual or perceived sexual orientation or gender identity or expression. Comprehensive, coordinated policies and programmes to combat gender-based discrimination and violence, inclusive of gender-sensitive trainings of public officials and the implementation of public education and awareness campaigns, must be developed and implemented at all levels. 70. With regard to women, girls, and lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender persons in detention, the Special Rapporteur calls on all States to: (a) Fully and expeditiously implement the Bangkok Rules and establish appropriate gender-specific conditions of detention; (b) Use pretrial detention as a means of last resort in accordance with the Tokyo Rules and prioritize the use of alternative measures, such as release on bail or personal recognizance; (c) Guarantee the right to effective assistance of counsel, including by means of a legal aid system, and the right to appeal decisions to a judicial or other competent independent authority, without discrimination; 42 Committee against Torture, general comment No. 3 (2012) on implementation of article 14 by States parties. 19