At least 5,632 reports of rape of girls aged below 18 were made across the country in the last 10 years, according to Ain o Salish Kendra data.

The highest was recorded between 2019 and 2021. The worst year was 2020, when 1,018 children reportedly suffered sexual violence, followed by 986 in 2019 and 774 in 2021.

A noticeable decline in reported cases was observed in recent years, with 561 incidents in 2022 and 389 in 2023. The number dropped further to 270 in 2024. In the first two months of this year, 52 children were raped, ASK says, citing its own sources and media reports.

Activists and legal experts say the numbers may not reflect reality because many victims do not report the crime.

The number of children killed after alleged rape is dismayingly high: At least 318 such cases had been reported in the last 10 years, according to ASK.

In the latest horrifying incident, an eight-year-old girl of Magura, who was allegedly raped earlier this month, died yesterday at the Combined Military Hospital (CMH) in the capital.

According to a report on rape cases from the Police Headquarters (PHQ), 5,191 cases were filed in 2023.

In 2024, the number stood at 4,394. From January 2023 to January 2025, a total of 9,977 rape cases were recorded across the country.

This translates to an average of 13 women and children being raped each day.

An analysis of rape cases filed in January of 2023, 2024, and 2025 shows that the highest number of cases was recorded in January of the current year. In January 2023, 354 rape cases were filed. The number dropped to 308 in January 2024 and 392 in January 2025.

DELAYS IN PROBE, TRIAL

On May 3 last year, a 9-year-old girl was raped and and killed allegedly by her 30-year-old cousin in Babuganj Upazila of Barishal.

Her mother filed a case three days later with Women and Children Repression Prevention Tribunal in Barishal, accusing Farid Ahmed Towhid of rape and murder and his father Sultan Howlader of trying to pass the homicide as suicide.

Police have yet to press charges as they still do not have the autopsy report, and the accused who were arrested earlier, had been released last month after the High Court granted them bail.

Contacted, Inspector Muhamad Towhiduzzaman of Wazirpur Police Station said, "Once we receive the autopsy report, we may be able to submit the charge sheet."

Her mother said she was heartbroken when the accused got bail. "The killers are walking free. I doubt if I will ever get justice," she said.

Experts say prompt legal proceedings and gender equality are needed to lower the frequency of violence against women.

"If we ensure prompt trials for only one or two cases [that cause public outrage], similar crimes will continue to occur. We must establish a system of expedited and fair justice," Fauzia Moslem, president of Bangladesh Mahila Parishad, told The Daily Star.

"Perpetrators of rape often commit the crime as an assertion of power. There is a culture of exerting power in our society -- be it in the family, administration, or other spheres. Since women are in a weaker position, men exploit this power dynamic to assert dominance over them. This is why it is essential to establish the idea that men and women are equal," she added.

Prof Omar Faruk, who teaches criminology and police science at Mawlana Bhasani Science and Technology University, said the conviction rate in cases of violence against women and children is very low.

Victims of gender-based violence face numerous challenges during the investigation process and many do not seek legal remedy because of fear of harassment.

A new government initiative to reduce the time for investigation is commendable, he said. "But appeals for time extension for investigations should not be entertained, because that would undermine the initiative."

DNA matching should be mandatory in investigations as it is globally recognised as an effective tool to identify perpetrators. Unless it's mandatory, there is a risk that false cases would be filed, he said.

GOVERNMENT STEPS

Amid widespread outrage against sexual violence, the PHQ launched a hotline (01320002001, 01320002002, 01320002222) through which people can report violence, offensive behavior, derogatory remarks, harassment, and sexual abuse.

On March 9, Home Adviser Lt Gen (retd) Jahangir Alam Chowdhury said, "Those guilty of violence against women or rape would be brought to book."

Law Adviser Prof Asif Nazrul recently said that the existing laws in cases of rape and abuse of women will be amended to reduce the investigation time from 30 days to 15 days.

Additionally, the trial for rape cases will be completed within 90 days instead of the previous 180 days. DNA evidence will be required in rape cases, said the adviser.

The amendments would be made after consultations with stakeholders on this matter.

If a judge believes that the investigation and trial of the case can proceed based solely on the medical certificate, they will be able to make such arrangements, added the law adviser.