A/65/262 I. Background 1. In 2001, following a recommendation of the Committee on the Rights of the Child, the General Assembly in its resolution 56/138, requested the SecretaryGeneral to conduct an in-depth study on the question of violence against children. In 2003, the Secretary-General appointed Paulo Sérgio Pinheiro as independent expert to lead the study. 2. The United Nations study on violence against children (see A/61/299), submitted at the sixty-first session of the General Assembly, addressed violence in five settings: the family, schools, alternative care institutions and detention facilities, places where children work and the community. The study recognizes that violence against children affects every country, remaining widespread, largely hidden and often condoned by society; violence has long-term consequences on children’s life and development, carrying with it serious social costs. 3. The study presents a set of recommendations which provide a decisive reference for accelerating and monitoring progress in violence prevention and response. To promote dissemination and ensure effective follow-up to the study’s recommendations, the study recommended the appointment of a Special Representative of the Secretary-General on violence against children. 4. The General Assembly took note of the recommendations of the study and requested the Secretary-General to appoint a Special Representative on violence against children to act as a high-profile and independent global advocate to promote the prevention and elimination of all forms of violence against children (resolution 62/141). II. Appointment of the Special Representative on violence against children 5. On 1 May 2009, the Secretary-General announced the appointment of Marta Santos Pais of Portugal as his Special Representative on violence against children, at the level of Assistant Secretary-General. Ms. Santos Pais assumed her position on 1 September 2009. 6. According to the terms of reference approved in compliance with General Assembly resolution 62/141, the Special Representative reports directly to the Secretary-General, chairs the United Nations Inter-Agency Working Group on Violence against Children and collaborates closely with a wide range of partners, within and beyond the United Nations system. In accordance with Assembly resolution 64/146, the Special Representative reports annually to the General Assembly and the Human Rights Council. 1 7. In conformity with General Assembly resolution 62/141, the position of the Special Representative and her Office are funded from voluntary contributions. The mandate was established for a period of three years, after which time it should be evaluated, including with regard to its funding. The Office of the Special Representative is located in New York and provided with administrative support by the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF). The Fund has established a trust __________________ 1 10-47898 For the report to the Council at its thirteenth session, see A/HRC/13/46. 3