CAT/C/NOR/CO/8 (j) Provide redress and rehabilitation to persons subjected to abusive and arbitrary non-consensual psychiatric treatment without procedural safeguards and independent supervision. Violence against women 23. While taking note of the measures taken by the State party, the Committee is concerned about acts or omissions with the consent or acquiescence of State agents in connection with the high incidence of violence against women. In particular, it is concerned that: (a) Section 291 of the Penal Code has not been amended with a view to placing the lack of free consent at the centre of the definition of rape, while committing any sexual act without consent is a crime under section 297, which carries a lighter sentence; (b) Reported ineffective or inappropriate investigations into rape cases, the low number of criminal convictions for rape and the high ratio of acquittals for rape compared with other violent crimes; (c) The incidence of violence, including sexual assault, against Sami women and girls, as well as other vulnerable groups, such as children and older persons, and the reported distrust of the Sami communities towards public authorities (arts. 2, 12, 13, 14 and 16). 24. The State party should: (a) Amend section 291 of the Penal Code in order to ensure that the lack of free consent is at the centre of the definition of rape, in compliance with international standards and its obligations under the Istanbul Convention, so that rape cases falling outside of the current narrow definition are not treated as a minor sexual offence and closed as “no criminal act proven”; (b) Strengthen the capacity and training of the police, prosecutors and judges to investigate and prosecute more effectively cases of violence against women, including sexual violence, such as rape; (c) Investigate the root causes and develop an action plan aimed at the prevention of, protection from and addressing violence, including sexual assault in the Sami community in consultation with the Sami community, and enhance efforts to build confidence in public authorities. Situation of asylum-seeking minors 25. The Committee is concerned that large numbers of unaccompanied minors seeking asylum aged between 15 and 18 are missing from the designated reception centres, in particular as they approach the age of 18, since most are given temporary permits that expire when they reach that age and may face forced return to their countries of origin or transit. It is also concerned that the quality of care provided to them is not equal to that provided to children cared for by the child welfare services. The Committee is concerned about the insufficient protection measures and the inconclusive investigations concerning the missing minors as they are vulnerable to trafficking and crime (arts. 2, 11 and 16). 26. The State party should ensure that unaccompanied asylum-seeking minors aged between 15 and 18 are provided with the same quality of care that is given to children cared for by the child welfare services, and strengthen their protection. It should ensure the effective prevention of such cases in which young asylum seekers go missing, as well as a thorough investigation when they occur, including an effective police investigation and prosecution of cases of trafficking. Situation in immigration detention facilities 27. While taking note that the regulations of the Trandum Holding Centre have been revised and of the establishment of additional immigration detention facilities, the Committee is concerned about the treatment of asylum seekers there, including body searches that have been described as humiliating as regards the dignity and integrity of 7

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