32 Resource book on the use of force and firearms in law enforcement ENSURING PROTECTION OF THE RIGHTS OF LGBTI PERSONS Brazil, Honduras and Mexico have established specific teams to investigate and prosecute homophobic and transphobic hate crimes to the full extent of the law, and law enforcement officials have been trained accordingly. In Ireland, trained liaison officers have been assigned to handle crimes or complaints related to homophobia and transphobia. In South Africa, the Government has established a multistakeholder task team that includes both law enforcement authorities and civil society organizations to monitor the investigation and prosecution of hate crimes based on sexual orientation and gender identity. In Serbia, the police took measures to protect LGBT participants in a peaceful assembly from attacks.a The Jamaica Constabulary Force developed an internal policy on diversity stating: “it is the policy of the Jamaica Constabulary Force that all reports from any individual or group be handled in a manner which reflects the highest level of professionalism and respect for human rights and dignity”.b This was in particular the result of a dialogue with civil society actors who defend the human rights of LGBT persons. a See OHCHR, Living Free and Equal – Ending violence and discrimination against lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and intersex persons: practices, gaps and challenges, 2016 (in particular chapter 6.4 regarding the training of law enforcement officials and chapter 10). b JCF Diversity Policy, Force Orders No. 3351 Part I Sub. No. 1 dated 2011-08-25 (p. 6) http://library.jcsc.edu.jm/xmlui/ bitstream/handle/1/340/Force%20Orders%203379A%20dated%202012-03-08.pdf?sequence=1 Children Children are defined in the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) as “every human being below the age of eighteen years unless under the law applicable to the child, majority is attained earlier.” According to the CRC, “in all actions concerning children, […] the best interests of the child shall be a primary consideration”.83 This consideration is therefore central to the role of law enforcement officials when they enter into contact with children. Children have the right to be protected from physical or mental violence, injury or abuse, neglect or negligent treatment, maltreatment or exploitation, including sexual abuse,84 and, whether they enter in contact with the justice system as victims or as alleged offenders, any treatment should be aimed at promoting the child’s reintegration into society.85 Due to their evolving physical and mental development, children are particularly vulnerable to violence, abuse, extortion, and being forced to act as informants. Such vulnerabilities should be taken into account whether children are directly in contact with law enforcement or when their family members are targeted. When dealing with children, law enforcement officials should take into account that perceptions, reasoning and reactions will not be the same as when dealing with adults. Children are more easily intimidated, frightened and have a harder time evaluating the long-term consequences of their actions. Considering children as less important or reliable than adults can easily lead to miscommunication, improper approaches to children and, ultimately, disproportionate resort to the use of force, with potentially devastating consequences for the life of the child. Article 3, Convention on the Rights of the Child. Article 19, Convention on the Rights of the Child. 85  Articles 39 and 40, Convention on the Rights of the Child. 83  84