CRC/C/15/Add.99 page 6 alternative care systems and generally within the society. In this regard, the Committee recommends that the State party take all appropriate measures, including of a legislative nature, to prohibit corporal punishment within school, the family, the juvenile justice and alternative care systems and generally within the society. It further suggests that awareness-raising campaigns be conducted to ensure that alternative forms of discipline are administered in a manner consistent with the child's human dignity and in conformity with the Convention, especially article 28.2. 20. The Committee notes the proposal of the State party to introduce a community and parent empowerment project aimed at assisting parents in managing their parental responsibilities and strengthening their parenting skills. The Committee remains concerned, however, at the large and increasing number of single-parent families, as well as the high number of abandoned children, especially children born out of wedlock, children of poor families, and children whose parents have left the country in search of economic opportunities. In this regard, the Committee also expresses concern at the lack of adequate alternative care facilities and qualified personnel in this field. The Committee recommends that the State party increase its efforts in providing support, including training, for parents, especially fathers, to discourage the abandonment of children. It is also recommended that the State party develop additional programmes to facilitate alternative care, including foster care, provide additional training for social and welfare workers and establish independent complaint and monitoring mechanisms for alternative care institutions. 21. While noting the legal provisions regarding domestic and intercountry adoption, the Committee remains concerned at the widespread practice of informal adoptions, especially in rural areas. In the light of article 21 of the Convention, the Committee recommends that the State party take all necessary measures, including the implementation of proper monitoring procedures, to prevent abuse of the practice of informal adoption. In this regard, the Committee further encourages the State party to consider the possibility of acceding to the Hague Convention on Protection of Children and Cooperation in Respect of Intercountry Adoption of 1993. 22. The Committee notes the proposals of the State party to host a consultation on domestic violence and to introduce, within the police department, a new unit to deal specifically with domestic violence. However, the lack of awareness and information on domestic violence, ill-treatment and abuse of children, including sexual abuse, and the lack of appropriate financial and human resources remain matters of grave concern. The Committee is particularly concerned that domestic legislation on sexual abuse does not include protective measures for boys. In the light of article 19 of the Convention, the Committee recommends that the State party undertake studies on domestic violence, ill-treatment and sexual abuse in order to adopt adequate measures and policies and contribute to changing traditional attitudes. It also recommends that cases of domestic violence, ill-treatment and sexual abuse of children be properly investigated within a child-friendly judicial procedure, that sanctions be applied to perpetrators and publicity given to decisions taken in such cases, with due regard for the right to privacy of the child. Measures should also be taken to ensure the physical and psychological