Sexual violence against children increased by 70pc in 2019

Sexual violence against children increased by 70 per cent in 2019 in comparison to 2018, according to Bangladesh Shishu Adhikar Forum.

In 2019, at least 1,383 children underwent sexual violence and among them, 1008 were raped whereas in 2018, at least 812 children underwent sexual violence and among them, 571 were raped.

‘2019 was a year of brutality towards children,’ said forum director Abdus Shahid Mahmud at a press conference at Dhaka Reporters’ Unity in the capital.

He said that the number of children raped was 521 in 2015 —446 in 2016—593 in 2017—and 571 in 2018.

‘Rape is the most prevalent form of sexual violence against children. Other forms include attempted rape, molestation, sexual harassment and victims of pornography,’ he said.

The findings were the compilation of reported incidents in 15 national dailies and the actual situation must be graver, he said.

The findings showed just the tip of the iceberg as all the incidents were not reported in the 15 dailies, said UNDP gender expert Bithika Hasan.

The incidents of child murders also increased from 418 in 2018 to 448 in 2019.

Among the murdered children, 29 were killed after abduction—47 were killed after rape—66 were found killed after missing—36 were killed in te hands of parents—and 12 were beaten to deaths.

At least 1,640 children died by various accidents, including drowning and road accidents, last year.

Last year, a total of 4381 children were the victims of violence, including murder, rape, abduction, molestation, sexual harassment, accidents and child marriage, according to the forum.

Moral degradation, erosion of social values and misuse of internet were contributing to the child rights abuse, said National Human Rights Commission chairman Nasima Sultana at the press conference.

‘Our state of women and child rights is causing disrepute of the nation,’ she deplored.

News Courtesy: www.newagebd.net