CRC/C/PER/CO/3 page 7 Alternative care 37. The Committee is concerned about the fact that placement in an institution is not always used as a measure of last resort. Furthermore, it is also concerned that some of the institutions for the care of children temporarily or permanently deprived of their family environment are in precarious condition and that there is limited capacity to serve all children in need of alternative care and who cannot be cared for in family-type alternative care. 38. The Committee recommends that, when placement in an institution is the necessary last resort for children temporarily or permanently deprived of a family environment, the State party ensure that suitable institutions for the care of children be available. The Committee further recommends that the State party recognize the right of children placed in institutions to a periodic review of the treatment provided to the child and all other circumstances relevant to his or her placement. In addition, a complaint mechanism should be available and accessible for children placed in institutions. Violence, abuse, neglect and maltreatment 39. The Committee is concerned that - despite recent measures taken in this respect domestic violence and abuse of children, including sexual abuse, is widespread in the society and that the Criminal Code does not provide for adequate protection against these forms of abuse. 40. The Committee urges the State party to strengthen its efforts to: (a) Prevent and combat ill-treatment of children within the family; (b) Reinforce the mechanisms monitoring the extent of violence, injury or abuse, neglect, maltreatment or exploitation considered by article 19, including within the family, schools, in institutional or other care; (c) Introduce in the Criminal Code provisions specifically addressing these forms of violence and abuse; (d) Expand its toll free child helpline service, Teléfono Anar, in order to be able to reach out to children in remote areas throughout the country. 41. In the context of the Secretary-General’s in-depth study on the question of violence against children and the related questionnaire to Governments, the Committee acknowledges with appreciation the written replies of the State party and its participation in the Regional Consultation for Latin America held in Argentina from 30 May to 1 June 2005. The Committee recommends that the State party use the outcome of this regional consultation in order to take action, in partnership with civil society, to ensure the protection of every child from all forms of physical or mental violence and to generate momentum for concrete and, where appropriate, time-bound actions to prevent and respond to such violence and abuse.