A/69/264 depression, anxiety and suicide ideation among affected families, constituting a serious risk factor for child neglect and abuse. 32. In strong contrast with the severity of this reality, children often lack information about where to go and what to do, especially when the perpetrator is someone they trust and depend upon. Still too often, child-sensitive counselling, reporting and complaint mechanisms are unavailable or difficult to access. When in place, services frequently lack the needed resources and skills to address children ’s concerns and promote the healing and reintegration of victims. 3. Tackling violence against particularly vulnerable children 33. For particularly disadvantaged children, often exposed to severe neglect, abuse and ill-treatment, these many challenges become largely unsurmountable. For this reason, the Special Representative has given a great deal of attention to the protection of children at risk, including children with albinism and those accused of witchcraft. Children with albinism 34. Children with albinism are at high risk of abandonment, stigmatization, an d marginalization as a result of their appearance, and due to disability factors associated with their condition, such as impaired eyesight and sensitive skin. 35. In many countries, children with albinism are perceived as a curse, a cause of shame to the family, and a misfortune to the community. Social and structural discrimination condemns these children to a position of extreme vulnerability. 36. Children with albinism are exposed to severe incidents of violence, mutilation and murder. At times they become the target of witchcraft accusations, leading to the use of their body parts for ritual purposes. Children who survive such attacks, are left with serious and long-lasting health and psychological consequences, and the development of their full potential is compromised for life. 37. Driven by fear and superstition, incidences of violence are largely met with silence and indifference. They are rarely reported or followed by investigation or prosecution. Overall, there is a pervasive culture of impunity. 38. To address the alarming cases of discrimination, violence and harmful practices against these children, the Special Representative promoted a strategic partnership with OHCHR, and civil society organizations. Advocacy efforts and policy discussions have led to important results over the past year, including momentous debates within the Human Rights Council, and significant resolutions adopted by the Council 11 and by the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights. 12 These resolutions convey a clear sense of urgency and set an important reference for mobilizing actions to prevent the abandonment and neglect of these children, to support their well-being and development, and to ensure their freedom from violence. __________________ 11 12 8/23 Human Rights Council resolutions 23/13 on attacks and discrimination against persons with albinism, and 24/33 on technical cooperation for the prevention of attacks against persons wi th albinism; and the report of the Human Rights Council on persons with albinism (A/HRC/24/57). Resolution 263 on the prevention of attacks and discrimination against persons with albinism . 14-58801