A/68/274 • Promoting strong political engagement to prevent and reduce violence in the life of young children, supported by a national strategy and by public policies well coordinated across governmental departments and between central and decentralized authorities. Countries should designate a high-level government institution, well versed in early childhood concerns, as responsible for the prevention of and response to violence against children and with the capacity to involve multiple sectors, and secure adequate funding and effective monitoring and evaluation of results and impact. • Strengthening the legal protection of young children from violence through a comprehensive legal ban on all forms of violence in all settings, and measures to ensure redress, recovery and reintegration of child victims and fight impunity. • Ensuring gender-sensitive approaches and child-sensitive support to young children through well-resourced institutions and services and well-trained professionals, taking into account children’s perceptions and experiences. • Supporting families and caregivers in their child-rearing responsibilities and securing a responsive national child protection system to strengthen families’ capacity to raise young children in safe environments and prevent child abandonment and placement in residential care, with special attention to young children at risk. • Consolidating data and research to measure progress in young children’s exposure to violence, supported by funding for impact evaluations of relevant programmes. • Raising the profile of early childhood initiatives in the policy agenda and in the public debate and widening awareness about the high return of investment in early childhood initiatives and the social cost of inaction; and promoting a change in attitudes and behaviour that condone violence against young children, including when pursued in the form of discipline or education or in other harmful forms. • Enhancing international, regional and bilateral cooperation to promote crossfertilization of experiences, address persistent challenges and mobilize vigorous support for young children’s protection from violence. 2. Promoting restorative justice for children 46. In June 2013, the Special Representative joined the Governments of Indonesia and Norway in the organization of an expert consultation on restorative justice for children. 47. The meeting, held in Bali, reviewed different models of restorative justice for children, as well as national legislation and experiences, including those promoted in Australia, Brazil, Indonesia, Northern Ireland, Norway, Peru, the Philippines, South Africa and Thailand (see box III). 48. The primary purpose of restorative justice is just that — to restore justice. Within families, schools, communities, organizations, civil society and the State, it provides peaceful conflict resolution and contributes to democratic peaceful societies. Restorative justice can take many forms, including mediation, 13-41970 11/26