A/HRC/28/34 countries in all regions, showed that strategic changes had been made in law, policy and practice, but had also shed light on gaps and areas of concern. It showed that the human rights foundation of the violence prevention agenda has been widened, and that efforts at the regional level had been consolidated. The Special Representative emphasized that violence against children had been prioritized in the political agenda of regional organizations and institutions around the world, and important commitments and declarations had been adopted by Governments in all regions. While noting the importance of these commitments, however, she stressed that they were only meaningful when effectively implemented. The survey had also showed that changes had been made at the national level: almost 90 countries had indeed elaborated time-bound and comprehensive agendas to prevent and eliminate violence against children. Despite these advances, however, only 8 per cent of the world’s children had legal protection from violence. 12. The Special Representative pointed out that many challenges remained, and that the post-2015 global development agenda represented a unique opportunity in this context, given that it was likely that violence against children would be included as a core target and as a cross-cutting concern in the different goals. This was important, because violence against children generated costs of trillions of dollars every year. She stressed the importance of preserving the eradication of violence against children as a distinct target and as a cross-cutting concern, noting that children had indicated that they considered this a key issue during the global consultations held in preparation for the post-2015 development agenda. It was fundamental that children were engaged in both: the development of the agenda, and the way future progress was evaluated. 13. The Ombudsman for the Rights of the Child of the Russian Federation, Pavel Astakhov, described the national programme of the Russian Federation on preventing violence against children and rehabilitating victims, and how it aimed at incorporating new technology as part of its strategy. Regional programmes on preventing and detecting cases of violence at an early stage had been set up, and the Ministry of Education had developed methodological recommendations on violence prevention for relevant regional authorities, containing guidance on the registration and investigation of complaints made by children to guarantee that the victims had access to consultation and could be reintegrated. The federal law on education provided for free medical or social assistance for underage victims, including psychological counselling for children and their parents, and assistance for witnesses. Mediation services had also been developed to address family disputes, in particular in the case of underprivileged families and their children. 14. According to the legislation of the Russian Federation, violence against children could lead to life imprisonment, and children were presumed to be “helpless” until the age of 12 years. Sanctions for criminal liability for using children in pornography had become tougher. The Ombudsman expressed concern about Russian children being subjected to violence when adopted abroad; a monitoring group had been set up to investigate this phenomenon. Concern was also expressed regarding violence against children in armed conflict, and the lack of assistance available to children and families attempting to leave dangerous situations. In such situations, children might not be provided with the necessary educational and medical services, and facilities with children present could be attacked. The Ombudsman called upon the international community to protect children in such situations in accordance with international law. 15. The Vice-chairperson of the Committee on the Rights of the Child and Chairperson of the African Committee of Experts on the Rights and Welfare of the Child, Benyam Dawit Mezmur, stated that, although Africa was a diverse continent, the response to violence against children faced similar challenges in many African countries. No country could claim to have implemented fully the Convention on the Rights of the Child or the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child. The Committee on the Rights of 5