May sees alarming rise in rape, child abuse

Incidents of rape increased significantly in May, while cases involving rape followed by murder tripled compared with the previous month, according to a report released by rights organisation Manabadhikar Shongskriti Foundation (MSF).

The organisation’s monthly Gender-Based Violence Monitoring Report, published on Saturday, recorded 78 rape cases in May, up from 54 in April, representing an increase of nearly 45 per cent.

Cases of rape followed by murder rose from two in April to six in May, with all victims reported to be children.

MSF said the figures indicate a concerning rise in sexual violence against women and children and highlight continuing challenges in prevention,
law enforcement and access to justice.

The report also documented an increase in gang rape incidents, which rose from 14 cases in April to 16 in May.

Attempted rape cases increased from 23 to 28, while reported incidents of sexual harassment edged up from 17 to 18.

Overall, the organisation recorded 326 incidents of violence against women and children during May, compared with 312 incidents in April.

According to the report, six children were victims of rape and murder during the month, marking the highest monthly figure recorded so far this year in that category.

Referring to the recent rape and murder of eight-year-old Ramisa in Dhaka’s Pallabi area, MSF welcomed the prompt arrest of the suspect and the initiation of legal proceedings.

However, the organisation stressed that all cases involving violence against women and children should receive equal attention, irrespective of media coverage or public campaigns on social media.

While sexual violence showed an upward trend, several other forms of violence declined during the month.

Cases of physical abuse fell from 64 in April to 43 in May, while murder cases decreased from 89 to 79. Incidents involving abduction and missing persons also dropped from 14 to 12.

MSF observed that the contrasting pattern may suggest that certain visible forms of violence have declined, while sexual offences and other less visible crimes continue to remain a serious concern.

The report also expressed concern over a rise in incidents of informal arbitration, commonly known as salish. Such cases increased from two in April to six in May.

According to the organisation, local arbitration processes were allegedly used to settle six criminal cases outside the formal justice system, including allegations involving rape, attempted rape and abuse of adolescent girls.

MSF warned that such practices may undermine access to justice for victims and weaken legal accountability.

The report further recorded an increase in suicide cases, which rose from 26 in April to 30 in May.

The number of abandoned newborns recovered also increased slightly from six to seven.

Of the seven infants found during the month, five were reported dead while two were rescued alive.

MSF said these trends point to broader social challenges, including growing insecurity and continuing vulnerabilities faced by women, children and adolescents.

The organisation also highlighted concerns over online gambling and drug-related activities.

According to the report, a teenager died following a dispute linked to online gambling, while five individuals were arrested in separate operations against illegal gambling activities during the month.

In addition, MSF documented 14 drug-related incidents reported in the media.

These included arrests of suspected drug users and traffickers, yaba recovery operations, clashes involving law enforcement personnel and allegations of police involvement in drug-related activities.

The organisation noted that evolving patterns of crime present wider social risks and may contribute indirectly to gender-based violence and other forms of insecurity.

MSF prepared the report based on incidents published in national newspapers and online news portals between 1 and 31 May.

The organisation said information was also verified, in most cases, through its network of local human rights defenders across the country.