A/HRC/8/52 page 130 reduce violence against women. The final action plan would be adopted soon and carried out intersectorally by all ministries and will be also taken into account while following up on the review. 319. Concerning the question of the elements employed to present violence against women as a human rights violation, the delegation clarified that it was the Government’s duty to raise public awareness of the problem, to positively shape attitudes and to take up other necessary actions in order to prevent violence against women. It also stated that violence against women or violence between the spouses as an aggravated ground for punishment was currently under examination at the Ministry of Justice. 320. On the question of other measures that would address the root causes of the problem of violence against women rather than the consequences and the proper role of mass media, Finland replied that data and information were a prerequisite for evidence-based policymaking, and that it was continuing its work in this field. In addition to holding offenders accountable and providing treatment programmes, it was also crucial to enhance positive male role models and to engage men in the efforts to eliminate violence against women in both prevention and advocacy. The delegation stated that it was only through a truly holistic approach that impunity can be ended and this violation of human rights eliminated. 321. In answer to the questions on the ombudsman system, it was indicated that the Ministry of Justice has set up an Equality Committee in January 2007 to prepare an overall reform of equality and non-discrimination legislation. In that connection, the status, duties and powers of the Ombudsmen were to be re-examined with a view to improve the functionality of the supervision mechanism. 322. Finland provided information that the Ombudsman for Minorities started work in 2001 and its tasks were increased by a legislative amendment (22/2004) that took effect on 1 February 2004 in connection with the enactment of the new Non-discrimination Act. In addition to issuing guidance, advice and recommendations, the Ombudsman supervised compliance with the Non-Discrimination Act outside employment relationships and service relationships governed by public law. The Ombudsman for Minorities was assisted by the Advisory Board for Minority Issues, set up for 2005-2008. Together with the Ombudsman, the Board was dealing with issues concerning the prevention and monitoring of ethnic discrimination, and supervision of non-discrimination. It also promoted related cooperation between different authorities. The Ombudsman for Minorities was the Chairman of the Board, which consisted of 14 members, who represented State authorities, trade unions, ethnic minorities and non-governmental organizations focusing on human rights. In 2007, the Ombudsman for Minorities handled a total of 737 customer cases, investigating them and, where necessary, referring the matter to the competent authorities. Some cases were taken further either for police investigation, to the National Discrimination Tribunal, or for a decision to prosecute by the Prosecutor General, or the case was referred for legal aid. 323. Regarding the main challenges for the Government in extending assistance to victims of human trafficking and protecting potential victims, it was explained that assistance for victims of trafficking in human beings begins with their identification. Finland was mainly a transit country for victims of trafficking and often, when in transit, the victims did not yet know that they will become victims of trafficking and they travel with legal travel documents. Therefore, their