A/HRC/22/32 18. Moreover, UNODC provided assistance to a multitude of States regarding legislation, policies, strategies and plans for children in conflict with the law, victims and witnesses of crime; sustainable responses to gender-based violence, the needs of women in prisons and development of alternatives to imprisonment for women offenders; and measures to empower victims through access to justice and assistance and protection services. C. Department for Peacekeeping Operations (DPKO) 19. Many post-conflict countries suffer from a collapse of law and order, a security vacuum and a legacy of human rights violations. In such contexts, strong rule of law institutions are crucial for creating a secure and stable environment while strengthening the State’s ability to provide security, with full respect for the rule of law and human rights. Since 1999, the Security Council has mandated virtually all new peace operations led by DPKO to assist host-country authorities in strengthening the rule of law, including through support to their legal, judicial and prison systems. DPKO currently has justice and corrections components in nine peace operations. In addition, its Justice and Corrections Standing Capacity based in Brindisi can deploy rapidly to help start up new missions and reinforce existing ones. Together with OHCHR and UNDP, DPKO is a member of the Team of Experts on Sexual Violence in Armed Conflict. 20. Core responsibilities of justice and corrections components in peace operations comprise assisting national authorities in the re-establishment of justice institutions, including the prisons; supporting the strengthening of the constitutional and legislative framework and developing strategies for the development of the rule of law sector; preparing and implementing integrated United Nations police, judicial and corrections strategies and programmes in support of security, justice and stabilization; training and advising magistrates, corrections officers and other rule of law personnel and supporting their deployment; facilitating the rehabilitation of judicial and prison infrastructure and the provision of equipment; and providing technical assistance for the prosecution of serious crimes. 21. In 2011, the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo helped to construct and supply equipment for four tribunals in North and South Kivu. The mission has also helped the Government to prosecute more than 150 military officers accused of committing serious crimes against civilians. Following the April/May 2011 post-electoral crisis in Côte d’Ivoire, the United Nations Operation in Côte d’Ivoire helped with the reopening of 37 courts and the rehabilitation of 22 prisons. Similarly, the African Union–United Nations Hybrid Operation in Darfur has supported the national authorities with the reopening of courts in West and North Darfur. The United Nations Mission in South Sudan is providing the Government of South Sudan with technical and logistical support to establish mobile courts. 22. The United Nations Integrated Mission in Timor-Leste assisted in the drafting of the Audit Chamber Law, which has allowed the Audit Court to assume an independent oversight role over public funds. The United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti has provided logistical support for the establishment and management of legal aid offices, 18 of which were operating throughout the country by the beginning of 2012. The United Nations Mission in Liberia has been supporting the Law Reform Commission tasked with streamlining the law reform and review process there. 23. DPKO, in collaboration with United Nations country teams, has also been assisting prison authorities in host countries with the development of national frameworks governing corrections institutions, such as standard operating procedures for prison officers in TimorLeste and prison registries and data management system in Cote d’Ivoire. Assistance has 7