CRC/C/ERI/CO/3 page 8 Corporal punishment 38. The Committee notes that the provision on corporal punishment in the Transitional Penal Code only applies to children under 15 when endangering gravely their physical and mental health and that “reasonable chastisement” remains permitted. The Committee is concerned that corporal punishment is still widely practised in the home, the schools and other settings. 39. The Committee recommends that the State party prohibit corporal punishment by law and enforce the prohibition in all settings, including in the family, the schools and alternative childcare. It also recommends that the State party conduct awareness-raising campaigns to ensure that alternative forms of discipline are used, in a manner consistent with the child’s human dignity and in conformity with the Convention, especially article 28, paragraph 2, while taking due account of the general comment No. 8 (2006) on the right of the child to protection from corporal punishment and other cruel or degrading forms of punishment. The Committee also recommends the State party to seek technical assistance from UNICEF in order to implement relevant programmes in the school environment. Torture and degrading treatment 40. The Committee is seriously concerned over the information that children, including those in high schools, are victims of torture, cruel and degrading treatment by the police and military. In particular, the Committee expresses concern at information indicating detentions and ill-treatment directed against children who seek to avoid military service. 41. The Committee urges the State party to take effective measures to protect all children from torture, cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment. The Committee emphasizes the urgent need to investigate and sanction those responsible for having committed abuses. The Committee recommends that the State party ensure that all child victims of torture, cruel and degrading treatment are provided access to physical and psychological recovery and social reintegration as well as compensation, giving due consideration to the obligations enshrined in article 39 of the Convention. 4. Family environment and alternative care (arts. 5, 18 (paras. 1-2), 9-11, 19-21, 25, 27 (para. 4) and 39 of the Convention) Family environment 42. The Committee is concerned over the high number of vulnerable families due the aftermath of the armed conflict, poverty, HIV/AIDS as well as the absence of one parent due to obligatory military service, detention or exile. 43. The Committee recommends that the State party take all necessary measures to ensure the allocation of appropriate financial and other support to programmes that support parents in the exercise of their responsibilities. In particular the Committee recommends the State party to provide effective support programmes for children in vulnerable families, such as those mentioned above.