Child sexual abuse alarming

City Desk :

Child rights organisations – MJF, Save the Children in Bangladesh and Plan International Bangladesh – on Thursday expressed grave concern over the alarming rise in child rape cases across Bangladesh.

The rising number of child rape and sexual abuse cases is a national crisis and has to be addressed through a multi-sectoral response mechanism, the organisations said.

Behind every number is a child whose life has been irreparably harmed, and a family struggling with trauma, stigma, and the pursuit of justice, says a press release.

The fact that many incidents remain unreported or unresolved further reflects systemic failures in protecting children, the organisations said.

Shaheen Anam, Executive Director of Manusher Jonno Foundation; Suman Sengupta, Country Director of Save the Children in Bangladesh; and Kabita Bose, Country Director of Plan International Bangladesh said the future of Bangladesh depends on the safety and well-being of its children.

The trauma of an unsafe environment hinders children’s holistic development and leaves a lasting impact on children, they added. “Protecting them from violence is not optional, it is our moral, legal, and national duty,” they mentioned.

Based on the recent report released by Ain o Salish Kendra (ASK), incidents of child rape have increased by nearly 75 percent in the first seven months of 2025 compared to the same period last year.

From January to July 2025, 306 girls were raped, up from 175 cases during the same months of 2024, according to ASK.

Shockingly, 49 of these children are aged between 0 and 6, while the rest are from 7 to 17. Moreover, cases were not filed in 152 instances, leaving them out of the justice system and many incidents remain unreported. Mahila Parishad has also reported that 60% of all rape cases are below the age of 18.

Even boys fall prey to sexual abuse as ASK reported rape of 30 boys during this period but it is feared that the number is much higher but is rarely reported.

These numbers highlight a deeply alarming trend and underscore the vulnerability of children within families and outside.
Call for Urgent Action
In light of these findings, the above child rights organisations urged the government to ensure strict enforcement of laws meant to protect children.

The following recommendations are proposed:
1 Strengthening Law Enforcement and Accountability 2. Child-Sensitive Justice System 3. Prevention and Protection in Communities 4. Safe Learning Environments 5. National Child Protection Strategy 6. Promoting Helpline Awareness and Use 7. Responsive Media Role