CRC/C/15/Add.154 page 7 5. Family environment and alternative care Parental responsibilities 32. The development of initiatives such as the Plan of Action for Social Development and Peacebuilding 1996-2000, which had among its priorities the strengthening of the family, schooling for parents and the Comprehensive Care Programme for Children under Six (PAIN), are positive measures in line with the Committee’s recommendation (ibid., para. 38). The Committee is, however, concerned that such programmes have had little impact in view of the number of children and parents who need this support. 33. In light of article 18 of the Convention, the Committee reiterates its recommendation that the State party improve social assistance to families to help them with their child-rearing responsibilities, including through counselling and community-based programmes, as a means of reducing the number of children in institutional care. The Committee recommends that the State party seek international assistance from, among others, UNICEF. Adoption 34. The Committee notes with deep concern that there was no follow-up to its recommendations (ibid., para. 34) to introduce measures to monitor and supervise the system of adoption effectively and to consider ratifying the Hague Convention on Protection of Children and Cooperation in Respect of Intercountry Adoption of 1993. Concern is expressed at the extremely high rates of intercountry adoptions, at adoption procedures not requiring authorization by competent authorities, at the absence of follow-up and, in particular, at reported information on sale and trafficking in children for intercountry adoptions. It is also noted that several drafts of adoption laws have been pending in Congress but never adopted. 35. In light of article 21 of the Convention and in line with the recommendations of the Special Rapporteur on the sale of children, child prostitution and child pornography (see E/CN.4/2000/73/Add.2) and of the United Nations Verification Mission in Guatemala (MINUGUA), the Committee strongly recommends that the State party suspend adoptions in order to take the adequate legislative and institutional measures to prevent the sale and trafficking of children and to establish an adoption procedure which is in full compliance with the principles and provisions of the Convention. It further reiterates its recommendation to ratify the Hague Convention on Protection of Children and Cooperation in Respect of Intercountry Adoption of 1993. Abuse and neglect 36. The adoption of the Act on the Prevention, Punishment and Eradication of Domestic Violence in 1996, the creation of CONACMI and the conducting of national campaigns against child abuse are positive measures in line with the Committee’s recommendation (ibid., para. 33).