A/HRC/16/56 89. The placement of children in institutions remains high in many countries. Institutions are often not registered, norms and standards regulating their activities are frequently lacking, and monitoring systems remain weak and dispersed. These cumulative factors compromise children’s access to safe complaint and reporting mechanisms. 90. Research data is limited, but some evidence indicates that children with disabilities may be up to five times more likely to experience physical, psychological, or sexual violence,58 less likely to be addressed by prevention programmes or to attract targeted protection services, and less able to challenge or protect themselves from incidents of violence. This explains, inter alia, the special barriers in accessing justice and being accepted as credible witnesses, and the pervasive impunity of abusers. The universal ratification of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities will be an essential step to secure the protection of these children from violence. 91. Children on the move, including children who migrate, who are refugees or asylumseekers are also at special risk of enduring violence without benefiting from counselling or having access to reporting or complaint mechanisms. According to the World Bank, approximately one third of migrants from developing countries are between the ages of 12 and 24.59 At times on their own, unable to speak the language and lacking information about existing child protection services, they are often afraid of approaching the authorities and of being deported, especially when undocumented. As a result, they may place themselves at further risk of violence and exploitation. 92. The authors of the present report recognize the urgency of rendering counselling, reporting and complaint mechanisms accessible, effective and sensitive to vulnerable children and their families. Thus, cooperation with non-governmental and communitybased organizations may offer a solid basis for effective action. C. The role of national independent human rights institutions for children 93. National independent human rights institutions for children play a critical role in the promotion and protection of children’s freedom from violence. The Committee on the Rights of the Child consistently recommends the establishment of these institutions, including powers to consider individual complaints and carry out investigations, and secure effective remedies for breaches of children’s rights.60 94. There are some 122 statutory national human rights commissions throughout the world, some with a distinct mandate on the rights of the child.61 1. Mandate 95. Independent human rights institutions for children (IHRICs) have a comprehensive child rights mandate, conducting research and awareness-raising campaigns, promoting law and policy reforms, and assisting child victims. Those with a mandate to receive individual complaints address violence against children committed by professionals working with children, including teachers, staff of children’s homes, police officers and other public servants. These mechanisms are non-adversarial, based on dialogue and mediation, and seek to find negotiated solutions guided by the child’s best interests. Currently, only some 58 59 60 61 Committee on the Rights of the Child, general comment No. 9, para. 42. World Bank, World Development Report 2007: Development and the Next Generation (Washington D.C., 2006), p. 14. General comment No. 2 (2002), para. 13. National Human Rights Institution Forum, www.nhri.net, accessed on 16 November 2010. 19