986 children lost to violence last year: Report

Rape, murder, torture, road crashes and other acts of violence claimed the lives of 986 children in the country last year.

Of them, 553 were killed in road crashes, 252 in drowning, and 361 in were either murdered, tortured or raped, the report added.

Manusher Jonno Foundation (MJF), a non- government organisation, prepared the report based on news published by eight national dailies from January to December 2019.

The findings were unveiled at a press conference held at Jatiya Press Club in Dhaka today.

The report also said that the number of positive news on the children has decreased significantly last year due to the large number of killing and violence incidents.

Speaking at the event, MJF Executive Director Shaheen Anam said the number of violence against children is rising gradually due to delay in justice delivery, which is alarming.

"The incidents are taking place one after another, but there is no resolution. As a result, the perpetrators are thinking there will be no justice," she said.

The children are not even safe at their homes and educational institutions, where they spent the larger amount of time of the day, Shaheen added.

The noted rights activist demanded quick justice delivery system and exemplary punishment for the culprits to stop violence against children.

She also urged the government to form a monitoring cell for such incidents, and strictly maintain anti-sexual harassment committee at all educational institutions.