Child rape cases in Bangladesh have risen by nearly 75 percent in the first seven months of 2025 compared to the same period last year, according to data from Ain o Salish Kendra (ASK).
Critics warn that the breakdown of law and order under the Yunus regime has triggered a surge in killings, rapes, extortion, and mob violence, further worsening the country’s security situation.
Between January and July this year, 306 girls were raped, up from 175 cases in 2024, already surpassing the 234 incidents reported in the entire previous year.
Age Breakdown of Victims
The data reveal disturbing details:
- 0–6 years: 49 victims
- 7–12 years: 94 victims
- Teenagers: 103 victims
- Unspecified ages: 60 victims
The highest number of cases occurred in March (106) and April (64), compared to only 29 and 24 during the same months of 2024.
Attempted Rape and Other Abuses
- 129 girls faced attempted rape, but only 85 cases led to legal action.
- 30 boys were raped between January and July, nearly matching the 36 total cases in 2024. Only 20 incidents resulted in case filings.
- 49 girls were harassed by stalkers, while 22 were abused by teachers, raising fresh concerns about safety in schools.
Legal and Social Barriers
Cases were filed in 251 incidents, leaving 55 victims without justice. Supreme Court lawyer Ayesha Akhter of BLAST said stigma, family pressure, and delays in investigations continue to block justice. She also criticized legal loopholes and the absence of victim–witness protection laws, stressing that the ban on the two-finger test must be strictly enforced.
Weak Enforcement Fuels Impunity
Shaheen Anam, executive director of Manusher Jonno Foundation, said that poor law enforcement and lack of accountability have emboldened offenders. She linked the rise in cases to the erosion of social values, political instability, and extremist influences, and called for speedy trials and stronger follow-up.
She also highlighted the silence surrounding male child rape cases and urged open discussions in families, schools, and religious institutions. Community-based Child Protection Committees, she suggested, could help safeguard children.
Family and Education Role
Roksana Sultana, executive director of Breaking the Silence, stressed that prevention must begin at home. Teaching children about personal boundaries, she said, is the first line of defense.
She also emphasized the role of schools in child protection, recommending safety education as part of the curriculum and proper training for teachers. Awareness programmes, she added, should extend beyond classrooms into wider communities.
The surge in child rape cases underscores Bangladesh’s growing failure to protect its most vulnerable. Experts agree that only a holistic, coordinated approach—involving families, schools, law enforcement, and the judiciary—can reverse this alarming trend.
