CRC/C/15/Add.173
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(b)
Create and strengthen adequate and decentralized structures by providing
enough human and financial resources; and
(c)
Take measures to establish family tribunals.
Abuse and neglect
37.
The Committee is deeply worried about the report it has received on the widespread
practice of child abuse within the family and in institutions, including those run by SENAME.
It is concerned at the lack of data and information on child abuse and neglect, at the inadequacy
of measures, mechanisms and resources to prevent and combat physical and sexual abuse and
neglect of children, including the institutionalization of child victims of abuse, and at the limited
number of services for abused children, in particular in rural areas.
38.
In light of article 19 of the Convention and in line with its previous recommendation
(ibid., para. 16), the Committee recommends that the State party:
(a)
Undertake studies on domestic violence, ill-treatment and abuse, including
sexual abuse, within the family and in institutions in order to assess the extent, scope and
nature of these practices;
(b)
Adopt as soon as possible and implement effectively the draft National
Service for the Protection of Children’s Rights Act, and in that regard provide the new
institution with adequate human and financial resources;
(c)
Ensure that there are clear and well-publicized procedures to enable
children to make complaints about their treatment to an independent body with
appropriate powers of investigation and action;
(d)
Investigate effectively cases of domestic violence and ill-treatment and abuse
of children, including sexual abuse, within the family and in institutions within a
child-sensitive inquiry and judicial procedure in order to ensure better protection of child
victims, including the protection of their right to privacy;
(e)
Do the utmost to avoid institutionalization of child victims of abuse;
(f)
Take measures to provide support services to children in legal proceedings,
and for the physical and psychological recovery and social reintegration of the victims of
rape, abuse, neglect, ill-treatment and violence, in accordance with article 39 of the
Convention;
(g)
In light of article 25 of the Convention, ensure that children placed in
institutions and other forms of alternative care are regularly monitored and supervised;
(h)
Take into account the Committee’s recommendations adopted at its days
of general discussion on violence against children within the family and in schools
(see CRC/C/111) and on State violence against children (see CRC/C/100);