Recent surge in incidents of sexual violence, including rape and assault, has instilled deep apprehension among the public, giving rise to a pervasive sense of insecurity and distress.
The alarming increase in such cases has fuelled unrest within families and society at large.
Following the brutal attempted rape and murder of an eight-year-old girl in Magura, students and civil society members have taken to the streets in protest.
As demonstrations continue, reports of further sexual crimes have surfaced, exacerbating public outrage.
In response to the escalating crisis, protests, rallies, and human chains were organised across Dhaka and other regions of the country on 10 March, demanding the highest punishment for perpetrators.
However, the pressing question remains: What measures can effectively curb this growing menace?
Former IGP Nurul Huda stated in an interview that ensuring swift and exemplary punishment for offenders is paramount.
He remarked, “Sexual violence has existed throughout history, though at times it escalates to alarming levels.”
He emphasised that as a heinous and grave crime, it demands the utmost priority from law enforcement agencies and the judiciary.
“The absence of preventive measures means that only stringent punishment can act as a deterrent,” he added.
The former police chief further highlighted the necessity of political will and administrative resolve in expediting investigations and trials to bring offenders to justice.
According to data from Ain o Salish Kendra (ASK), 39 women and children were subjected to rape in January alone, with three victims murdered post-assault. In February, the number rose to 46, including 16 gang rapes.
Additionally, at least eight women were subjected to attempted rape.
Cases of sexual harassment and violence were also reported, with one victim resorting to suicide.
The statistics are grim—36 children were murdered in February, some of whom were raped before being killed, while 46 others faced severe abuse.
Moreover, 45 women suffered domestic violence, with 13 succumbing to suicide.
ASK further reported that in 2024, a total of 401 women and children were victims of rape, of whom 105 suffered gang rape, and 34 were murdered post-assault.
Additionally, in January alone, 40 women faced domestic and social violence, with 21 killed. Fourteen incidents of sexual harassment were documented during the same period.
No comprehensive data has yet been compiled for March.
However, experts speculate that the number of sexual violence cases in the first ten days of the month has already surpassed figures from previous months, a trend likely to be confirmed in subsequent reports.
This sharp increase raises troubling questions about the underlying psychological and social causes behind such heinous crimes.
Addressing these concerns, Dr Helal Uddin Ahmed, Associate Professor at the National Institute of Mental Health, noted that while sexual violence is not a new phenomenon, its recent spike is alarming.
He attributed this rise to several factors, including deep-seated gender biases ingrained within families.
“Girls are often undermined from an early age with notions such as ‘women are weak’ or ‘women must endure,’ leading to systemic disempowerment,” he explained.
The erosion of social and religious values, coupled with exposure to explicit content through modern technology, has also contributed to distorted perceptions of sexuality, he added.
To combat this crisis, Dr Helal Uddin stressed the need for structured, scientific education on sexual harassment and abuse, tailored to Bangladesh’s social, cultural, and religious context rather than adopting Western paradigms.
Meanwhile, fresh cases of sexual violence continue to emerge.
In Dhaka’s Gulshan-Baridhara area, a ten-year-old girl was allegedly raped on 10 March.
The suspect, Sajal Hossain Palash, 40, was apprehended by locals and handed over to the police.
Similar incidents were reported in Magura, Cox’s Bazar, Habiganj, and Panchagarh. Protest demonstrations were staged in Dhaka University and other locations, while students in Cumilla blocked the Dhaka-Chattogram highway, demanding that a tribunal be set up to ensure trials of rapists are completed within 15 days.
Further protests erupted in Chittagong University, Rajshahi University, Sherpur, Natore, Bagerhat, and Kurigram.
Police Headquarters Spokesperson Inamul Haque Sagar reaffirmed law enforcement’s commitment to addressing sexual violence.
“Bangladesh Police maintains a zero-tolerance policy against crimes targeting women and children and is determined to take stringent legal action against offenders,” he said.
The attack on the eight-year-old girl in Magura on 5 March has ignited nationwide fury, galvanising students and civil society into action.
Protesters at Dhaka University formed an anti-rape platform on Saturday night, which has since expanded into a broad movement.
Demonstrations have spread to institutions including BUET, Dhaka Medical College, Rajshahi University, Khulna University, Cumilla University, Islamic University, Bangladesh Agricultural University, and Shahjalal University of Science and Technology, among others.
Dr Touhidul Haque, Associate Professor at Dhaka University’s Institute of Social Welfare and Research, remarked that the outpouring of protests reflects deep-seated societal frustration.
“Most families have daughters, sisters, or wives—hence, every conscious citizen is affected by these heinous crimes,” he noted.
He further emphasised that unless exemplary punishments are enforced, the crisis will persist.
As the movement against sexual violence gains momentum, protesters and civil society groups remain adamant in their demand for systemic reform, stringent legal action, and swift justice to stem the tide of such abhorrent crimes.
