826 children raped, abused in 6 months: Report

A total of 826 children were raped and abused in the last six months across the country, a report says.

Some 224 children out of 826 were murdered after rape while 76 were tortured and 27 were sexually harassed by their teachers, the report said.

The study report was revealed by the Child Rights Advocacy Coalition (CRAC) in Bangladesh at a press conference at the Jatiya Press Club in Dhaka today.

The report was prepared based on reports of the incidents published in different newspapers between January 1 and July 20.

Ain O Salish Kendra (ASK), a member of the CRAC, in its report claimed that over the last five years 90 per cent of rape victims were children and teenagers.

The CRAC expressed grave concern over the rising trend of violence against children throughout the country and called upon the government to promptly complete the procedure of forming a child directorate and a national child rights commission to prevent the child from violation.

While speaking at the press conference, Sheepa Hafiza, executive director of the ASK, said the child directorate will coordinate actions to be taken by different ministries.

Other members of the 10-member coalition include Save the Children, Action Aid Bangladesh, Terre des hommes and Bangladesh Shishu Adhikar Forum.

Underscoring the need for forming a separate tribunal to deal with the issue of rape and abuse of children promptly, the CRAC said the prolonged trial process and the prevailing culture of impunity are the main reasons behind increasing violence against children.

All incidents of child torture, rape and murder should be given the highest priority so that the justice is served through a quick trial, the coalition came up with the suggestion.