A/RES/58/147 Fund, to address the issue of domestic violence and encourages them to coordinate their efforts, and, in particular, expresses its appreciation for the initiatives of the United Nations Development Fund for Women to combat violence against women at the international, regional and national levels, as well as the World Report on Violence and Health launched by the World Health Organization in 2002, particularly its consideration of gender-based violence; (d) The work carried out by civil society, including non-governmental organizations, such as women’s organizations, and community-based organizations and individuals, aimed at the elimination of domestic violence against women, inter alia, by raising awareness of its harmful effects, and in the provision of support services to women victims of violence; Strongly condemns all forms of domestic violence against women and 3. girls, and in this regard, calls for the elimination of all forms of gender-based violence in the family, including where condoned by the State; 4. Expresses its concern: (a) That women continue to be victims of domestic violence and at the continuing occurrence in all regions of the world of domestic violence, which takes many different forms, and at failure to prosecute and punish the perpetrators; (b) That domestic violence, including sexual violence in marriage, is still treated as a private matter in some countries; 5. Stresses that States have an obligation to exercise due diligence to prevent, investigate and punish the perpetrators of domestic violence against women and to provide protection to the victims, and also stresses that not to do so violates and impairs or nullifies the enjoyment of their human rights and fundamental freedoms; Reaffirms the commitment of States to establish legislation and/or 6. strengthen appropriate mechanisms to handle criminal matters relating to all forms of domestic violence, including marital rape and sexual abuse of women and girls, and to ensure that such cases are brought to justice swiftly; 7. Calls upon States: (a) To adopt, strengthen and implement legislation that prohibits domestic violence, prescribes punitive measures and establishes adequate legal protection against domestic violence and periodically to review, evaluate and revise these laws and regulations so as to ensure their effectiveness in eliminating domestic violence; (b) To make domestic sexual violence a criminal offence and to ensure proper investigation and prosecution of perpetrators; (c) To adopt and/or strengthen policies and legislation in order to strengthen preventive measures, protect the human rights of victims, ensure proper investigation and prosecution of perpetrators and provide legal and social assistance to victims of domestic violence, and to adopt policies with regard to the rehabilitation of perpetrators; (d) women; To intensify measures aimed at preventing domestic violence against (e) To ensure greater protection for women, inter alia, by means of, where appropriate, orders restraining violent spouses from entering the family home, or by banning violent spouses from contacting the victim; 3