A/HRC/22/31 51. The Committee has also noted its concerns about the impact of highly restrictive abortion laws on the right to health of adolescent girls,11 and has urged States to ensure that girls are not subject to criminal sanctions for seeking or obtaining an abortion under any circumstance.12 It has further requested States to review their legislation on abortion with a view to ensuring that it is in full compliance with the best interests of the child, including by ensuring that single adolescent mothers are allowed access to safe abortions and are adequately protected from the risks of illegal abortions.13 52. A continuum of adolescent-friendly HIV-related services should be made universally available, such as HIV prevention, voluntary counselling and testing, care, treatment and support services. Post-exposure prophylaxis should be available to victims of sexual assault. Due attention should be given to ensuring the confidentiality of HIV test results and other related information. 53. In some places, social and cultural values may limit access to information and services. For example, comprehensive sexuality education is considered inappropriate in some settings, where abstinence-only sexual education is provided. Where traditional views on sexuality prevail, access to sexual and reproductive health services can be limited for some segments of the populations, including adolescents. Parental and spousal consent laws may deny adolescents their right to have access to sexual and reproductive health information. F. Violence 54. The United Nations study on violence against children14 brought to light the magnitude of the problem posed by violence, confirming that it exists in every country and takes place in different settings, including the family, school, institutions and the community. The burden of mortality and morbidity in children attributable to violence is high, particularly during early childhood and adolescence, a fact which highlights the need to create an environment that protects children from violence, to support parents and caregivers in healthy child-rearing, and to challenge attitudes that perpetuate tolerance and the condoning of violence in all forms and settings. The right of the child to be free from violence is reflected in article 19 of the Convention on the Rights of the Child. 55. Sexual violence can have serious short- and long-term physical, psychological and social consequences not only for girls and boys, but also for their families and communities. Robust and effective child protection systems, including the provision of comprehensive services to child victims, are required. 56. In the light of the impact of corporal punishment on children’s health, including fatal and non-fatal injury, as well as psychological and emotional consequences, corporal punishment and other cruel or degrading forms of punishment in all settings should be eliminated.15 11 12 13 14 15 CRC/C/15/Add.107, para. 30; CRC/C/CHL/CO/3, paras. 55-56; CRC/C/URY/CO/2, para. 51. CRC/C/NIC/CO/4, para. 59 (b). CRC/C/KOR/CO/3-4, para. 11. A/61/299. CRC/C/GC/8. 11