A/HRC/22/55 ratification, in the context of the universal periodic review or before human rights mechanisms. 13. The goal of the campaign was widely endorsed by Member States, ombudspersons and civil society organizations and regional organizations. The pan-European Campaign to Stop Sexual Violence against Children, promoted by the Council of Europe and a network of national parliaments in its member States, is a meaningful example of this process. 14. The goal of universal ratification was also incorporated in the United Nations Global Plan of Action to Combat Trafficking in Persons and in the Roadmap for Achieving the Elimination of the Worst Forms of Child Labour by 2016. 15. In the light of this progress, universal ratification of the Optional Protocol can soon become a worldwide reality for children. 16. Strategic standard-setting initiatives supported by the Special Representative helped to strengthen the normative foundation of children’s protection from violence. These included the adoption of the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on a communications procedure and the International Labour Organization (ILO) Convention No. 189 (2011) concerning Decent Work for Domestic Workers. With these two new instruments, children can have access to effective remedies to address incidents of violence and benefit from safeguards providing protection in situations of domestic service. The ratification and effective implementation of these instruments will remain a priority. B. Enhancing awareness and consolidating knowledge 17. To advance implementation of international child rights standards and identify positive experiences and strategic recommendations to assist Governments in their efforts to prevent and address all forms of violence, the Special Representative organized seven expert consultations. 18. These consultations brought together experts from Governments, national institutions, regional and international organizations, academia and civil society, as well as children themselves. They informed the development of thematic studies and follow-up advocacy and policy discussions at the national and international levels to accelerate progress in children’s protection. 19. The consultations addressed priority topics, including law reform to ban all forms of violence against children, inter alia harmful practices, and provide for safe and childsensitive mechanisms for counselling, reporting and complaints on incidents of violence; as well as the consolidation of data and research to inform legal and policy developments; and the protection of children from violence in early childhood, schools and the justice system. 20. In view of their critical relevance for the work ahead, the overall conclusions and recommendations from the seven consultations are synthesized below. 1. Law reform to safeguard children from violence 21. Legislation prohibiting all forms of violence is a key component of a comprehensive national strategy for children’s protection from violence. To take stock of progress, identify positive experiences and advance legal reform in this area, the Special Representative organized, in July 2011, an expert consultation with OHCHR, the Inter-Parliamentary Union and the NGO Advisory Council on Violence against Children. The consultation highlighted the following key conclusions and recommendations (see also A/HRC/19/64): 5