A/HRC/16/56 of an independent office, such as an ombudsman, to receive and investigate complaints made by juveniles deprived of their liberty and to assist in the achievement of settlements.28 40. Some countries have established specialized administrative procedures for children in specific contexts. In Slovenia, there is a procedure to investigate complaints regarding treatment of children by the police.29 The Costa Rican Children’s and Adolescents’ Code recognizes the right of students to make complaints of physical, sexual or emotional abuse in schools.30According to the UNICEF survey, complaints procedures are available for law enforcement agencies, and also for the child welfare and school systems. (c) Are complaints procedures child-sensitive? 41. Many norms and recommendations have been adopted on the sensitivity of proceedings concerning children affected by violence. They often focus on investigations and legal proceedings, although less on the receipt and handling of complaints, which are a critical initial stage of a legal or administrative process. In this regard, some principles should be respected: (a) The right of the child to respect for his or her dignity at all times; (b) The child’s right to privacy and to participation in meetings or interviews in a secure and reassuring environment;31 (c) The best interests of the child as a primary concern; (d) The child’s right to protection from discrimination and to be treated in accordance with the principle of equality; (e) Respect for the child’s views in addressing the complaint; (f) The child’s right to be promptly provided with necessary information in an accessible language, including possible options and consequences of the complaint, procedures involved, and available protective measures and support services; (g) Provision of appropriate professional or paraprofessional support to the child, including in overcoming the adverse physical, psychological and social consequences of the incident addressed by the complaint;32 (h) Decisions should be as expeditious as possible.33 42. Important community-based mechanisms have been established to address situations of violence against children, and to support women and children in their efforts to gain access to justice. The Paralegal Committees in Nepal work to prevent and address violence, including abuse and exploitation, and discrimination suffered by women and children. They promote awareness-raising activities, early detection and prevention, and case facilitation and reconciliation, as well as monitoring and reporting. They act as watch groups and as a 28 29 30 31 32 33 Ibid., para. 77. Second periodic report of Slovenia (CRC/C/70/Add.19), para. 23. Arts. 66 (a), 67 and 68; see also the Ecuadorian Children’s and Adolescents’ Code, art. 41, in “The right of children”, p. 33. Economic and Social Council resolution 2005/20, paras. 10-13 and 16. See for example the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on the sale of children, child prostitution and child pornography, art. 8, para. 1 (d), and Economic and Social Council resolution 2005/20, paras. 16 and 22. See for example the Optional Protocol on the sale of children, child prostitution and child pornography, art. 8, para. 1 (g), and Economic and Social Council resolution 2005/20, para. 30 (c). 11