Abuse and neglect of children

The State party should increase its efforts to promote positive, non-violent and participatory forms of child-rearing and discipline, with the cooperation of the media and by offering information sessions for parents and parents-to-be on that topic and on the illegality of violence against children.

The State party should ensure that children have access to a helpline available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, as well as to other reporting avenues, such as specially designated and trained staff, for example, school nurses, who can be approached confidentially, and special service desks at the municipal level, and ensure that children are informed about those reporting avenues.

The State party should in the light of information before the Committee indicating that students have on occasion been subjected to violence from adults in schools, investigate the occurrence of violence and threats by teaching and school staff and develop and implement a zero-tolerance policy with a view to ensuring that each allegation of violence is duly investigated.

The State party should ensure that child victims of violence and abuse are provided with adequate support at the municipal level and strengthen the capacities of municipalities in that regard.