CRC/C/ALB/CO/2-4 124 and 125 of the Penal Code contain a restrictive definition of neglect which relates only to providing living means; (c) Due to the lack of an identification, referral and treatment system for cases of violence against children and the absence of accountability for professionals involved in identifying these children, the vast majority of children do not seek help when they suffer abuse and violence; (d) Most of the perpetrators of domestic violence enjoy impunity; relatively few complaints of domestic violence lead to criminal prosecutions and when violence is considered as “light”, prosecutors are not required to initiate prosecution; and (e) Victims of domestic violence rarely obtain the assistance they are entitled to receive under the 2006 Law and are often left without housing solutions, due to the dearth of shelters to accommodate them and the lack of specific programmes to combat domestic violence and assist victims. 44. In the light of its general comment No. 13 (CRC/C/GC/13, 2011) the Committee urges the State party to prioritize the elimination of all forms of violence against children, by paying particular attention to gender. In particular, the Committee urges the State party to: (a) Adopting as a matter of priority a law criminalizing all forms of domestic violence, including marital rape and revising its definition of neglect contained in the Penal Code to cover all forms of child neglect and ensure accountability for violence against children; (b) Establishing an efficient multi-sectoral child protection system to ensure prevention of violence against children and protection and reintegration of children victims of any forms of violence; and (c) Define procedures and mechanisms for the identification, reporting, referral, investigation, treatment and coordination of cases of children victims of violence and provide practical information to children on how to seek help. Sexual exploitation and abuse 45. The Committee is deeply concerned that sexual abuse against children is defined in article 108 of the Penal Code as “shameful acts carried out with minor children who have not attained 14 years of age” and that children between the age of 14 and 18 years are only protected if there is violence and girls only up to the age of puberty. The Committee is also concerned about the lack of effective measures to prevent and combat child sexual exploitation and abuse and about the absence of services to provide sexually abused and exploited children with psychosocial support, recovery and reintegration. 46. The Committee urges the State party to revise its legislation to ensure that all children up to the age of 18 are protected against sexual abuse and exploitation. The Committee also recommends that State party adopt programmes and policies for the prevention, recovery and reintegration of child victims of sexual abuse and exploitation in accordance with the outcome documents adopted at the 1996, 2001 and 2008 World Congresses against Sexual Exploitation of Children held respectively in Stockholm, Yokohama and Rio de Janeiro. Harmful practices 47. The Committee, while noting that the minimum legal age of marriage is set at 18 years, expresses concern about the persistent practice of early and forced marriages, especially in the Roma community. 10

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