CRC/C/KGZ/CO/3-4 (c) The absence of mechanisms in the State party to identify, detect and protect children who are victims of sexual violence; (d) The inaction of law enforcement agencies, reportedly corrupt, in registering cases of child sexual abuse and the mishandling of such cases; (e) The child not being able to apply directly to the authorities for protection, but only through parents or legal guardians, who at times may be perpetrators themselves. 36. The Committee recommends that the State party take urgent measures to: (a) Prevent the sexual abuse and exploitation of children by ensuring effective pursuit of perpetrators and commensurate sanctions for perpetrators of child sexual exploitation and abuse within its jurisdiction and throughout its territory; (b) Raise awareness and encourage the public and children to report cases of sexual violence and exploitation against children, especially in educational and medical facilities; (c) Establish effective mechanisms to identify, detect and protect children who are victims of such crimes; (d) Ensure that law enforcement officials pay particular attention to crimes against children and be punished for inaction in registering and investigating any crimes against children as well as for the mishandling of cases; (e) Provide children of all ages with the possibility of applying for the protection of the authorities directly, without the involvement of their parents or legal guardians. Harmful practices 37. The Committee welcomes the amendments to the Criminal Code increasing the punishment to up to 10 years’ imprisonment for kidnapping of “brides” below the age of 17 years and notes that, as the result of a one-year campaign on “bride-kidnapping”, the number of incidents of bride-kidnapping has decreased. However it is seriously concerned about the continuing widespread practice of bride-kidnapping of underage girls and that cases often remain unreported by the victims owing to social stigma and pressure. The Committee is also concerned about the increasing numbers of early marriage of girls forced by parents owing to social and economic difficulties. 38. The Committee recommends that the State party take all necessary measures to ensure that all incidents of “bride-kidnapping” are promptly, impartially and effectively investigated, that all those responsible for such abuses are held accountable, prosecuted and sanctioned, and that victims of such abuses obtain redress. It also recommends that the State party prevent early marriages of girls by developing and undertaking comprehensive awareness-raising programmes on the negative implications of early marriage for the girl child’s rights to health, education and development, targeting in particular traditional and religious leaders, parents and State parliamentarians. 8