to ensure that the age and consent requirements are met. However, penalties and sanctions should not be imposed on children involved in a child marriage and where penalties or sanctions are imposed, States Parties must be careful to avoid any risk of retaliation against a child. Typically, sanction for non-compliance with marriage requirements will be imposed on marriage officers and they may also be imposed on persons who, although not authorised to perform a marriage, nevertheless purport to do so. If a person employed in the public service of a States Party is involved or complicit in a child marriage, their status as a civil servant should be regarded as an aggravating factor in the determination of a sanction or penalty and in addition to criminal sanction; administrative sanctions such as the loss of a marriage license may be imposed. Penalties and sanctions may also be imposed on any other person who actively encourages or facilitates the practice of child marriage. However, noting that imposing penalties and sanctions on parents may drive child marriage underground, subjecting parents to sanction or penalty is not recommended. [30] In all instances where a penalty or sanction is imposed in the context of a child marriage, the emphasis should be on prevention and deterrence. In addition, States Parties shall ensure that in enforcing laws and/or imposing penalties and sanctions, whistle blowers who report or disclose child marriage or the suspicion or possibility of a child marriage are fully protected. In addition to any person who is required by law to report child marriage or the suspicion of a child marriage, including teachers, health providers, marriage officers and other employees in the public service, States Parties should extend a wide protection to any other person who in good faith reports suspicion or possibility of a child marriage. 17