CAT/C/BEN/CO/2 page 7 Violence perpetrated by law enforcement officials 21. The Committee expresses its concern at allegations of beatings by law enforcement officials of the State party and regrets the lack of information on the extent of this practice (arts. 12 and 16). The State party should send a clear message to law enforcement officials that violence and ill-treatment are unacceptable. It should, moreover, take the necessary steps to end this practice and to ensure that prompt, impartial and effective investigations are conducted into allegations of ill-treatment by law enforcement officials and that those responsible are prosecuted and punished with appropriate penalties. Torture and cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment of children 22. While taking note of the State party’s legislative efforts, in particular to eradicate ill-treatment of children, the Committee remains concerned about reports of trafficking, exploitation, prostitution, female genital mutilation, rape and killing of newborn babies. The Committee regrets the lack of statistical data on reports of violence against children and related convictions (arts. 1, 2, 12 and 16). The State party should take effective measures to combat and eradicate torture and cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment by adopting a holistic approach to the problem. The State party should take all necessary measures to ensure strict implementation of the relevant legislation by prosecuting and punishing those responsible for such acts. The State party should consider setting up an observatory on the rights of the child, resume consideration of the bill on “vidomegons” and strengthen the system of care for child victims of violence. 23. While noting that the State party’s legislation prohibits corporal punishment in schools (Circular No. 100/MEN/CAB of 1962), the Committee remains concerned about the absence of legislation prohibiting such punishment in the family and in institutions other than schools. The Committee is also concerned at the frequent use of this practice in education in Benin (art. 16). The State party should extend legislation prohibiting corporal punishment to the family and to institutions other than schools. The State party should ensure that legislation prohibiting corporal punishment is strictly enforced and awareness-raising and educational campaigns should be conducted to that effect. Violence against women 24. The Committee acknowledges the State party’s efforts to strengthen the legal framework relating to violence against women and trafficking in women and regrets that the draft Criminal Code does not include a specific offence of domestic violence and trafficking in women. The Committee notes with concern reports of widespread violence against women, particularly trafficking, rape and violence in the family, and regrets the low number of complaints and convictions (arts. 2, 4, 12, 14 and 16).