Child abuse has increased alarmingly across the country, causing grave concern among rights activists. Last year, 22 children were murdered after rape. However, 25 such incidents were found in just the first quarter of this year, according to a latest report of Bangladesh Shishu Adhikar Forum (BSAF), an organization working to protect and promote child rights. The report, unveiled on Sunday, was prepared based on information collected from 10 national daily newspapers. According to the BSAF report, in the last three months, 176 children were raped, 109 killed, and 25 murdered following rape. Also, three rape victims committed suicide fearing stigma. A total of 593 incidents of rape were reported last year, of whom 22 were murdered after rape. Expressing concerns over the ever-increasing incidents of child abuse, BSAF Director Abdus Shahid Mahmud said the prevalent culture of impunity and delay in trial procedures were responsible for the rise in child repression. “Child abuse is in no way acceptable. The government said it would form a separate directorate and a commission for children, but they have not been formed as yet,” he said, adding that the authorities cannot avoid their responsibility to protect children and ensure their rights.
