Article 16 (19) The Committee, while noting various measures undertaken by the State party, including the implementation of a strategy to prevent domestic violence and the inclusion, in 2004, of a separate crime of domestic violence in the Criminal Code, expresses its concern about the persistence of violence against women and children, including domestic violence. While appreciating the State party’s intention to amend the elements of crimes of rape by abolishing the requirements of both penetration and active resistance by the victim, it is concerned at the low numbers of investigations and prosecutions of cases of domestic violence. The State party should increase its efforts to prevent, combat and punish violence against women and children, including domestic violence, and ensure adequate implementation of the national strategy to prevent domestic violence. The State party is encouraged to conduct broader awareness-raising campaigns and training on domestic violence for officials (law enforcement agencies, judges, lawyers and social workers) who are in direct contact with the victims as well as for the public at large. (20) The Committee notes with concern reports of intolerance and hatred towards ethnic minorities, especially Roma. In this respect, the Committee is concerned about information showing that instances of ill-treatment by law enforcement officials, especially the police, often involve persons belonging to ethnic minorities. The Committee recalls that the protection of certain minorities or marginalized individuals or populations especially at risk of torture is a part of the obligation to prevent torture or ill-treatment. In this respect, the State party should strengthen its efforts to combat ill-treatment of and discrimination against persons belonging to ethnic minorities, in particular Roma, including by ensuring that the relevant existing legal and administrative measures are strictly observed and that training curricula and information campaign constantly communicate the message that discrimination and violence will not be tolerated and will be sanctioned accordingly. (21) The Committee notes that corporal punishment of children is not explicitly prohibited in all settings and it is a common and accepted means of childrearing. The State party, taking also into account the recommendation in the United Nations study on violence against children, should adopt and implement legislation prohibiting corporal punishment in all settings, supported by the necessary awareness-raising and public education measures. (22) The Committee recognizes the efforts undertaken to combat human trafficking, including the recent introduction of a separate offence of trafficking, but it is still concerned that trafficking in women and girls, especially for the purpose of sexual exploitation, is a serious problem in the State party, and that recovery and reintegration services are insufficient. The State party should continue to prosecute and punish trafficking in persons, especially women and children, and intensify its efforts to provide recovery and reintegration services to victims. The State party should also conduct nationwide awareness-raising campaigns and conduct training for law enforcement officials, migration officials and border police on the causes, consequences and incidence of trafficking and other forms of exploitation. (23) The Committee notes with appreciation the State party’s statement that a draft Bill on ratification of the Optional Protocol to the Convention is currently under Governmental review. In this respect, it encourages the State party to ratify the Optional Protocol to the Convention in order to strengthen the prevention against torture. (24) The Committee invites the State party to become a party to the following human rights treaties, namely: the International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families; the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities; and the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance. 83