A/65/262 VII. Looking ahead 126. The mandate of the Special Representative is anchored by the United Nations study on violence against children and its action-oriented recommendations, which provide a strategic agenda to secure children’s protection from all forms of violence, in all settings and in all nations. 127. As noted in the present report, significant developments have marked the initial period of the Special Representative’s mandate — these include strategic initiatives undertaken by United Nations agencies to mainstream violence against children within their agenda; critical strides by regional organizations and political groups, and civil society networks to institutionalize the process of implementation of the recommendations of the study; and noteworthy improvements at the national level to protect children from violence. 128. Strong partnerships within and beyond the United Nations system have helped to consolidate this agenda with dynamic mobilization and support from stakeholders at all levels, including governments, national institutions, civil society organizations and children themselves. 129. In spite of this promising trend, however, violence against children remains widespread, largely hidden and still too often condoned by society. Recognizing that no violence is justifiable and all violence can be effectively prevented, the Special Representative is strongly committed to maintaining momentum around violence prevention and responses; increasing visibility and renewed concern at the harmful effects of violence on children; addressing social norms to encourage a process of positive behaviour and social change; and mobilizing political support to combat this phenomenon and achieve steady progress. 130. Guided by this mission and building upon the strong human rights foundation of her mandate, the Special Representative will, in the immediate future, give primary attention to the following dimensions: (a) Advancing her two-year campaign for the universal ratification of the Optional Protocols to the Convention on the Rights of the Child, and promoting global adherence to other treaties aiming at children’s protection from violence; (b) Promoting progress in her three strategic areas of concern, namely, the development in each State of a comprehensive strategy on violence prevention and response; the adoption of an explicit national legal ban on all forms of violence against children, in all settings; and the consolidation of national data systems and research in this field; (c) Supporting the development of a thematic report on safe, childsensitive and accessible counselling, complaint and reporting mechanisms on violence against children, in line with Human Rights Council resolution 13/20. 131. The Special Representative looks forward to collaborating closely with Member States and all other relevant stakeholders to advance this critical agenda and achieve children’s freedom from violence in all its forms. 24 10-47898