CRC/C/ROM/CO/4
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(c) There are no specific provisions in criminal law and procedure for the hearing of
child victims of crime, including sexual exploitation and sexual abuse;
(d) Children who spend time in child protection institutions are particularly
vulnerable to trafficking for sexual exploitation;
(e) According to the Special Rapporteur on the sale of children, child prostitution and
child pornography (E/CN.4/2005/78/Add.2), data on trafficking are not consistent as different
institutions provide different data depending on the target group they focus on.
88.
The Committee recommends that the State party:
(a) Intensify its efforts to collect data on the extent of sexual exploitation and
abuse of children, essential to prepare adequate responses and combat these phenomena;
(b) Consider all children victims of these criminal practices, including child
prostitution, exclusively as victims in need of recovery and reintegration and not as
offenders;
(c) Set up specific provisions in criminal law and procedure for the hearing of
child victims of crime, including sexual exploitation and sexual abuse;
(d) Ensure that children are provided with special protective measures to
prevent victimization and re-victimization;
(e) Submit its initial report under the Optional Protocol to the Convention on
the sale of children, child prostitution and child pornography.
Helplines
89.
The Committee notes that since 2006 the helpline in Romania has been operating as a
non-profit organization and that since 2008 it has been using a 6-digit number, as well as the
European 6-digit number. The Committee further notes that several helplines are operated in
Romania by different stakeholders.
90.
The Committee recommends that the existing child helpline be expanded to all
regions and be 3-digit, toll free for both the helpline and the caller, and available 24 hours.
The Committee further recommends that the State party raise awareness of children,
including by providing information about the helpline in child-related programmes and
schools.
Administration of juvenile justice
91.
The Committee welcomes the fact that present legislation sets the minimum age of
criminal responsibility higher than the internationally acceptable minimum. The Committee
further welcomes the creation by the Superior Council of Magistracy of a Committee monitoring
the fulfilment of obligations of the Council and the courts for the accomplishment of the
National Plan of Action in the sphere of child protection. The Committee is, however, concerned
that the new law on judicial organization within the reform strategy of the judicial system 20052007 replaces the obligation to establish specialized juvenile courts with the ‘possibility’ to do
so. It is further concerned that:
(a)
There is a lack of a uniform national policy on prevention;