A/HRC/15/12 16. Regarding women, the Domestic Violence Act guaranteed the right of women to protection from all forms of abuse. A halfway house for battered women had been established, in which victims of domestic violence and their children were provided with temporary accommodation. 17. Education was mandatory for all children between the ages of 5 and 16, and the Government was committed and endeavoured to ensure equitable access to quality and relevant education for all citizens. 18. As for labour rights, Grenada was a member of the International Labour Organization and was fully committed to ensuring that international labour standards were met, applied and promoted. To that end, core ILO Conventions had been ratified by the Government of Grenada, and international labour standards were well recognized and properly enforced. 19. Regarding good governance, measures taken to combat corruption were described, in particular the enactment in 2007 of the country’s first anti-corruption law and a bill establishing an Integrity Commission. The establishment of an Office of the Ombudsman and the appointment of an Ombudsman to investigate complaints by members of society about the Government’s actions were also mentioned. 20. As for crime prevention, the Government attached significant importance to crime prevention and security. The capacity of the police force to carry out its primary functions of maintaining law and order and preventing crime were always being strengthened, and training in individual human rights and their protection formed a key part of the police training agenda. 21. With regard to health, an efficient health care system had always been the aim of every Government in Grenada. Over the years, successive Governments had faced the challenge of adequately responding to the health-care needs of the population. With respect to housing, the Government agreed that access to proper housing was a basic human right. The Government had struggled to overcome the destruction that had taken place in the wake of Hurricane Ivan, but had since made much progress. 22. Moreover, prison facilities had been improved in order to meet internationally acceptable standards. Measures were being taken to address the growing concerns about overcrowding and other complaints at prisons. Independent human rights groups were permitted to monitor prison conditions and to produce independent reports. 23. Grenada continued to fulfil its obligations through its voluntary pledges and commitments. Its support for activities to promote and protect the human rights of all people, without discrimination of any kind, and to uphold the highest human rights standards at home clearly demonstrated the Government’s philosophy. In supporting the fight to protect human rights internationally, Grenada had ratified core United Nations human rights instruments. However, there was a need for technical support in key areas in order to enhance its ability to continue to do so. 24. Advance questions were then responded to. 25. As regards corporal punishment, it was stated that the use of such punishment existed in the law but was restricted by the 2002 Education Act, which limited its application at schools by restricting its use and allowing parents to request exemptions. As it was permissible under the law, the Government could not prohibit it. Awareness was being raised about concerns over the practice in order to encourage its non-application. 26. As for questions regarding sexual activity between consenting adults of the same sex, it was confirmed that such activity was an offence under the laws of Grenada. However, this could be viewed as discriminatory, as it took away from the freedom of the 5