A/65/262 23. Building upon strong commitments expressed by countries in all regions, and informed by good practices and lessons learned from past experience, this is an area where progress is within reach. To further consolidate this process, in early 2011 the Special Representative will host, with the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), an expert consultation on law reform to combat violence against children. 3. Research and a consolidated data system to inform violence prevention and response 24. Widely perceived as a social taboo or a needed form of discipline, violence against children is seldom reported; official statistics remain limited in their ability to capture the true scale and extent of this phenomenon across nations and social groups. As a result, available information is scarce and inconsistent and only reflects the tip of the iceberg. 25. Yet, without good data, national planning is compromised, effective policymaking and resource mobilization are hampered, and targeted interventions are limited in their ability to prevent and combat violence against children. 26. This is an area where urgent action is required. Existing data sets on children provide a basis to build upon, but they need to be integrated beyond sectors and individual disciplines, promoting a holistic consideration of the child. Gaps in child protection areas need to be addressed and monitoring tools and indicators expanded, including to consider boys and girls of all ages and in all settings, and to address those at greatest risk. Moreover, those efforts need to incorporate children’s views and perspectives, and capture their experience, and dynamic and evolving free agency. This is crucial to understand the hidden face of violence and effectively address its root causes. 27. Violence in all its forms affects the life of millions of children around the world. But, as we have learned from the many successful initiatives promoted across regions, it is not inevitable; violence can be prevented and effectively addressed. With a strategic national agenda, with strong and effective legislation, and with sound data and evidence to understand risk factors and inform policy decisions, a world without violence can be realized. B. Consolidating strategic partnerships 28. The development of the United Nations study generated solid and strategic alliances, within and beyond the United Nations system. To advance the implementation of the recommendations of the study, strengthened partnerships are crucial. The Special Representative will therefore promote enhanced collaboration with key partners, including the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict; United Nations funds, programmes and specialized agencies; human rights treaty bodies and mechanisms; national governments, regional organizations, parliamentarians, national independent institutions on children’s rights; and civil society, including children and young people. 29. Relevant institutional collaboration mechanisms have been set in place to support the Special Representative’s mandate and consolidate progress through an effective consultative approach — they include the Inter-Agency Working Group on 10-47898 7