CRC/C/15/Add.173 page 8 4. Civil rights and freedoms Corporal punishment 31. The Committee is concerned that corporal punishment of children remains socially acceptable in Chile and it is still practised in families and in schools and other institutions. It further notes that Chilean legislation does not expressly prohibits corporal punishment. 32. In light of articles 3, 19, and 28 (2) of the Convention, the Committee encourages the State party: (a) To develop measures to raise awareness of the harmful effects of corporal punishment and to encourage alternative forms of discipline in families administered in a manner consistent with the child’s dignity and in conformity with the Convention; and (b) Explicitly prohibit corporal punishment in the family and in schools and other institutions. 5. Family environment and alternative care Parental responsibilities 33. The Committee is concerned that the system of assistance to parents and legal guardians in the performance of their child-rearing responsibilities is still insufficient, in particular with respect to single-parent families, and that a significant number of children are put in institutions because of the bad economic situation affecting the family. 34. In light of article 18 of the Convention, the Committee recommends that the State party continue to improve social assistance to families to support them in their child-rearing responsibilities, including through counselling and community-based programmes, as a means of reducing the number of children in institutional care. Children deprived of family environment 35. While noting that there are plans to reform the National Service for Minors (SENAME), the Committee notes with concern that at present SENAME is still in charge of both children in need of care and protection as well as those in conflict with the law, and that social services need to be more decentralized. Further, it notes that a bill for the establishment of family courts has been before Congress since 1997. 36. The Committee recommends that the State party: (a) Establish two clearly separated systems (in terms of administration and implementation) for children in need of care and protection and for children in conflict with the law, by adopting the two draft laws, one on the protection of children who need assistance and the other on children in conflict with the law, intended to reform the 1967 Juvenile Act;