CRC/C/THA/CO/3-4
children are trafficked internally within the country, especially children of poor families,
undocumented migrants and ethnic minorities.
77.
In light of its general comment No. 13 (2011), the Committee urges the State
party to:
(a)
Continue its efforts to raise awareness of the public and strengthen early
detection and prevention mechanisms and ensure full protection for all children
victims of sexual exploitation and abuse, including in the family and outside;
(b)
Take the necessary measures to reduce the duration of investigation and
proceedings in criminal cases regarding sexual abuse of children and ensure
appropriate protection of child victims from perpetrators;
(c)
Conduct comprehensive research on the root causes, nature and extent
of sexual exploitation and abuse of boy and girl children in all settings, involving both
Thai and foreign children in the State party, and provide data on the number of
complaints, investigations and prosecutions conducted in this regard;
(d)
In doing so, the Committee recommends that the State party implement
its recommendations under the Optional Protocol on the sale of children, child
prostitution and child pornography (CRC/C/OPSC/THA/CO/1) as well as the
recommendations of the Special Rapporteur on trafficking in persons, especially
women and children, after her visit to the State party in August 2011. The Committee
also recommends that the State party take into account the outcome documents
adopted at the 1996, 2001 and 2008 World Congresses against Sexual Exploitation of
Children held, respectively, in Stockholm, Yokohama and Rio de Janeiro.
Helplines
78.
The Committee notes that the Social Services Division and the National Council
for Children operate two helplines to assist children. The Committee recommends
that the State party consider consolidating these helplines into a single national
helpline for greater efficiency. The helpline should cover the whole country, be
accessible 24 hours and should have an easy to remember 3-4 digital numbers and
adequate financial and technical resources as well as personnel trained to respond to
children and analyze the calls for appropriate action. The Committee further
recommends that the State party seek technical assistance in this regard from, inter
alia, UNICEF and Child Helpline International.
Administration of juvenile justice
79.
The Committee welcomes the Juvenile Family Court and Juvenile and Family
Procedure Act of 2010, establishing juvenile and family courts throughout the country and
enabling restorative justice. However, the Committee remains concerned that the minimum
age of criminal responsibility which has been raised from 7 years to 10 years still remains
below internationally acceptable standards. It is also concerned that training of judges and
judicial personnel in child rights may not be adequate and that in some cases children can
be detained with adults.
80.
The Committee recommends that the State party continue and strengthen its
efforts to ensure the full implementation of juvenile justice standards, in particular
articles 37, 39 and 40 of the Convention and other relevant international standards,
such as the United Nations Standard Minimum Rules for the Administration of
Juvenile Justice (the Beijing Rules), the United Nations Guidelines for the Prevention
of Juvenile Delinquency (the Riyadh Guidelines) and the United Nations Rules for the
Protection of Juveniles Deprived of Their Liberty (the Havana Rules), taking into
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