A/HRC/22/55 112. Investing in the prevention of violence is therefore of critical importance, not only as a question of human rights and good governance, but also of good economics. V. Looking ahead 113. The present report provides an overview of results obtained and progress achieved by the Special Representative in the first three years of the mandate. 114. This initial stage was marked by the consolidation of commitments to preventing and eliminating violence against children. There has been a strengthened understanding of children’s exposure to violence, while strategic actions have been undertaken to secure their effective protection; significant normative, policy and institutional developments have helped advance national implementation efforts for the protection of children from violence, together with the revitalization of networks and the development of new partnerships to support advocacy and the institutionalization of the follow-up to the Study recommendations by Governments, regional organizations and civil society actors. 115. Although significant progress has been achieved, this process needs nurturing to translate the vision of the Study into reality and ensure it takes root and results in real change for all children. As highlighted by the findings of the global survey, it is crucial to sustain the achievements made, scale up positive initiatives and widen the ownership of this process of social change. But very especially, it is essential to avoid any risk of stalling the momentum built up around the implementation of the Study or of allowing this agenda to become diluted in the face of competing priorities. 116. The Special Representative remains strongly committed to advancing progress toward children’s freedom from violence. The results achieved and the lessons learnt over the initial years of her mandate provide a strong foundation for sustaining investments, reenergizing efforts and promoting a paradigm shift in the safeguarding of children from violence. 117. The next few years will be strategic for moving in this direction. But progress will be dependent on urgent and steady action, with a special emphasis on the following priority dimensions. A. Mainstreaming the Study recommendations in the national policy agenda 118. As noted throughout the present report, the three priorities of the mandate remain the foundation for achieving progress with regard to all the recommendations of the Study and have been identified by Governments across regions as crucial areas where progress needs to be achieved. Thus, putting in place a comprehensive, wellcoordinated and well-resourced national agenda on violence against children; introducing an explicit legal prohibition on all forms of violence in all settings, supported by child-sensitive counselling, reporting and complaint mechanisms; and consolidating violence-related data and research are urgent and indispensable components of the future agenda. B. Addressing emerging concerns 119. The spectrum of violence against children is not static and emerging concerns need to be further researched and seriously addressed. Among them, it is important to explore the opportunities and counter the risks associated with the use of new 22