A/66/227 forms of violence, including a new form of sexual abuse in schools, referred to as “sex for grades”. 69. Sound data and research are urgently needed in this field. Without reliable data, national planning is undermined, effective policymaking and resource mobilization are hampered, and targeted interventions are limited in their ability to address and prevent violence in schools. 70. Data and research are indispensable if we are to expose the hidden face of violence and address its root causes; understand perceptions and attitudes regarding this phenomenon, including among girls and boys of various ages and social backgrounds; identify children at greater risk and effectively support them; and assess the economic costs of violence and the social gains that can be achieved through steady investment in prevention. These are areas where consolidated partnerships and the acceleration of efforts will remain of the essence. 5. Ensuring the legal protection of children from violence in schools 71. The effectiveness of measures to deter and eliminate violence in schools is significantly curtailed without a supportive legal framework. As indicated above, clear, unambiguous legislation that prohibits all forms of violence and protects children from them, including within the school, is a key component of any comprehensive strategy on violence against children. 72. In addition to the 29 countries that have introduced an explicit legal ban on all forms of violence against children in all contexts, several have adopted specific legislation to counter violence in schools. In the majority of countries, violence in schools, including the ill treatment and beating of children, is considered impermissible and is punished with disciplinary measures. When certain more serious forms of violence occur, such as sexual harassment or abuse, the outcome may be the dismissal and prosecution of those found responsible. 73. In the recent past, there have been significant legislative developments in this area. In some countries, new laws have been enacted to prevent bullying, as was the case in 2011 in Peru. In others, legislation has been adopted that addresses incidents of violence more broadly. For example, in India the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act 2009 bans the physical punishment and mental harassment of children. The Act provides for disciplinary measures in the event of the violation of this ban and recognizes the responsibility of the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights in monitoring its implementation and safeguarding the rights of the children concerned. 74. In spite of these important developments, the legal prohibition of violence against children in schools is not yet a reality in 80 countries around the world. Moreover, the overall gap between legislation and prevailing practice remains wide and challenging. For this reason, efforts to accelerate progress in this area will continue. E. Conducting a global survey to assess progress in the prevention and elimination of all forms of violence against children 75. The year 2011 marks the midpoint of the Special Representative’s mandate and five years since the review by the General Assembly of the United Nations study on 11-44118 15