A/73/207 (e) Children 68. Children naturally experience greater vulnerability than adults, owing to their stage of development and limited capacity to escape or react to abuse emanating from their environment. That vulnerability is compounded in legal systems that allow or tolerate domestic violence, sexual abuse, child marriage and child labour and is particularly exacerbated in the case of children who are forcibly institutionalized in prisons, juvenile detention centres, orphanages or medical institutions. That children deprived of their liberty are at a heightened risk of depression, anxiety or other psychological trauma and more prone than others to suicide and self-harm has been well documented. Even short periods in detention can substantially undermine the well-being and cognitive development of children. It is therefore of the utmost importance that children not be deprived of their liberty, excep t as a measure of last resort and in compliance with the principle of the best interests of the child (A/HRC/28/68). (f) Women and girls 69. Women and girls often face a heightened exposure to violence and sexual abuse, not only when deprived of their liberty but also in various extra -custodial contexts. That vulnerability is particularly pronounced in legal systems that foster or tolerate the discrimination, oppression and exploitation of women and girls, i ncluding through child marriage, forced marriage, marital rape and chastisement, where women ’s rights to property, divorce or inheritance are restricted, or where they are prevented from obtaining custody of their children or from leaving violent situation s (A/HRC/7/3, para. 46, and A/HRC/31/57). (g) Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex persons 70. Throughout the world, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) persons face a substantial risk of torture and ill-treatment, including sexual abuse and humiliation. That vulnerability is particularly pronounced in States in which persons are criminalized, stigmatized, persecuted or harassed for their actual or perceived sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation or non-adherence to dominant social norms regarding gender and sexuality (A/HRC/31/57, para. 15, and A/HRC/19/41). (h) Older persons 71. Persons approaching the end of natural life expectancy tend to become more dependent and vulnerable, particularly when deprived of their liberty or accommodated in institutionalized care. The general vulnerability of older persons is often exacerbated by systemic and structural barriers to their enjoyment of human rights, including disability-related discrimination, ageism, neglect and disregard. Only a few States provide complaints mechanisms that are accessible to persons with limited communication abilities, 18 or supported decision-making for persons requiring assistance in exercising their legal capacity ( E/2012/51, para. 21). In the view of the Special Rapporteur, therefore, older persons’ particular experiences of vulnerability and their consequent exposure to a heightened risk of torture and ill treatment deserve broader attention. (i) Persons with disabilities 72. Persons with disabilities face a heightened risk of torture or ill-treatment in a variety of custodial and extra-custodial contexts. Severe abuse, which can take the __________________ 18 18-12051 Committee against Torture, general comment No. 3 (2012) on the implementation of article 14 by States parties (para. 23). 19/23