A/HRC/33/63 training on the topic for law enforcement agencies, reviewing and amending existing legal instruments and identifying, arresting and putting on trial the perpetrators of the offences.9 F. Gender-based violence 68. During her visits, the Independent Expert was informed of sexual violence and forced marriages, particularly in Ndélé, Kaga Bandoro and Bossangoa. Between 30 November 2015 and 30 June 2016, MINUSCA received 100 reports of conflict-related acts of sexual violence, 78 of which were investigated and determined to be founded. The 78 victims include 34 women, 36 girls, 7 females of unknown age and 1 boy. 69. The true number of these acts of violence is likely to be higher, but the stigma and intimidation faced by the victims, together with the lack of justice, usually deter them from filing complaints. 70. The Independent Expert also received information on cases of gender-based violence recorded between January and October 2015 via the information management system. There were reportedly 60,208 cases of female survivors receiving medical and/or psychosocial care, in accordance with their individual needs; 29,801 of them were victims of sexual violence, although there was no indication as to whether the acts of violence were conflict-related.10 71. The discrepancy between these figures reveals the need to step up the attention given by the authorities and the international community to gender-based and sexual violence. The Independent Expert stresses the need for a specific methodology when classifying conflict-related sexual violence.11 This will make it possible better to assess victims’ needs in terms of assistance and more effectively to combat impunity for offences committed and violations of the right of victims to receive justice. G. Situation of children 72. The situation of Central African children remains worrying. They are victims of violence, including sexual violence, and recruitment by armed groups. They continue to suffer from malnutrition and poor access to health and education services. The lack of routine birth registration also poses long-term problems. 73. The violence in Bangui in September and October 2015 exacted a particularly lethal toll on children, leaving 25 dead and 31 wounded.12 74. Many children are kidnapped by the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) and used to carry off goods stolen in villages or for other support roles. Abducted girls are often kept as sex slaves. The transitional Government and the new Government reportedly at times refused to cooperate with people providing assistance to children who have escaped from the LRA. The authorities reportedly prefer to keep these children in detention so as to interrogate them to extract information on LRA activities, thereby depriving them of the right to humanitarian assistance, including psychosocial and family reunification assistance. 9 10 11 12 12 See A/HRC/30/59, paras. 60 to 63 and 108 g. http://reliefweb.int/report/central-african-republic/unfpa-fighting-against-gender-based-violence-carneed-inter (consulted on 20 July 2016). See the provisional guidance notes for implementation of Security Council resolution 1960 (2010). Available at the following address: www.refworld.org/pdfid/4e23ed5d2.pdf.provisional (consulted on 20 July 2016). S/2015/918, para. 34. GE.16-12727