(prevention of the public and the media from trial) and the benefit of the application of sentences aimed primarily at reintegration and rehabilitation of the child. 28. The Committee further notes that without an effective functioning registration system, the system of justice for children is likely to be abused by non-qualifying adults, thus flooding juvenile courts (which are generally few in number and are expected to expedite trials) with cases which would otherwise have been tried by ordinary courts. 29. Proof of age can also be relevant where children are alleged to be victims or serve as witnesses, especially in relation to offences where statutory age criteria are established, such as in relation to the age for consent to sexual activity. Valuable protections might be foregone in the absence of adequate proof of the age of child victims. 4.6.2 30. Prevention of harmful practices The Committee defines harmful practices to include all practices that imperil the life of the child, undermine his/her dignity or are prejudicial to his/her health, to his/her mental or physical integrity, or to his/her growth and development regardless of their being condoned by a society, culture, religion, or tradition. Examples of common harmful practices in Africa include child trafficking, sexual exploitation, early marriage, illicit adoption, exploitative child labour, child enrolment in armed forces, and so forth. The Committee strongly believes that a universal well functioning birth registration system increases the visibility of the most disadvantaged children and enhances their protection against harmful practices.9 An ill-functioning birth registration system on the other hand makes it difficult to prosecute perpetrators of harmful practices committed against children as it makes it less likely that laws which prohibit those practices will be effectively implemented. 4.6.3 Rights to education, health and social welfare 9 For example parents or caregivers cannot conceal a child’s age to force him/her into early marriage. 12