CRC/C/15/Add.111 page 5 on domestic violence, ill-treatment and abuse, including sexual abuse, to understand the scope and nature of these practices, adopt adequate measures and policies, and contribute to changing attitudes. The Committee also recommends that cases of domestic violence and ill-treatment and abuse of children, including sexual abuse within the family, be properly investigated within a child-friendly judicial procedure and sanctions applied to perpetrators, due regard being given to protecting the right to privacy of the child. Measures should also be taken to ensure the provision of support services to children in legal proceedings, the physical and psychological recovery and social reintegration of the victims of rape, abuse, neglect, ill-treatment, violence or exploitation, in accordance with article 39 of the Convention, and the prevention of criminalization and stigmatization of victims. The Committee recommends that the State party seek technical assistance from, inter alia, UNICEF and WHO. D.6. Basic health and welfare 18. The Committee notes the efforts of the State party to improve the general situation of health. In particular, it notes that both the infant mortality rate and the under-five mortality rate have declined rapidly during the past decade and that immunization coverage has improved considerably. The Committee also notes that the State party has implemented a food and nutrition programme, which has resulted in a reduction in the incidence of malnutrition. The Committee is concerned, however, that the survival and development of children within the State party continue to be threatened by malaria, acute respiratory infections and diarrhoeal diseases. The Committee is also concerned about the insufficient number of trained health workers; wide discrepancies in the distribution of health professionals between communities; limited access to health services in some island communities; poor sanitation and limited access to safe drinking water, particularly in remote areas. The Committee recommends that the State party allocate appropriate resources and develop comprehensive policies and programmes to improve the health situation of children and facilitate greater access to primary health services. The Committee recommends that the State party continue its efforts to reduce the incidence of maternal, child and infant mortality; improve breastfeeding practices; and prevent and combat malnutrition, especially in vulnerable and disadvantaged groups of children. The Committee also recommends that the State party undertake additional measures to increase access to safe drinking water and to improve sanitation. Additionally, the Committee encourages the State party to continue its technical cooperation programmes with UNICEF, WHO and others to improve primary health care. 19. While noting with appreciation the activities of the Vanuatu Society of Disabled Persons regarding assistance to and rehabilitation of children with disabilities, the Committee remains concerned that insufficient efforts have been made to protect the rights of children with disabilities. The Committee recommends that the State party allocate the necessary resources for programmes and facilities for children with disabilities. In the light of the Standard Rules on the Equalization of Opportunities for Persons with Disabilities (General Assembly resolution 48/96) and the Committee’s recommendations adopted at its day of general discussion on “The rights of children with disabilities” (CRC/C/69), it is also recommended that the State party develop early identification programmes to prevent disabilities, establish special education programmes for children with disabilities and further encourage their integration into the educational system and their inclusion in

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