Bangladesh Shishu Adhikar Forum has said child rape has increased by 41% in the first six months of 2019.
The findings were shared at a press conference titled "Child Rights and Current Situation."
The conference was jointly organized by Bangladesh Shishu Adhikar Forum (BSAF) and Action for Social Development (ASD) at the National Press Club on Sunday.
Between January and June, 496 children were raped, 120 children faced sexual abuse.
During the same time period in 2018, 351 children were raped, and 53 children faced sexual abuse.
Also Read- Ending the scourge of child sexual abuse
In the whole of 2018, 571 children were raped across Bangladesh.
"How can we increase awareness? How can we provide security for our children?" ASD Executive Director Jamil H Chowdhury said.
Urging law enforcement agencies and the judiciary to ensure justice, he asked the government to find a way of offering a better and secure future for the children.
BSAF Director Abdus Sahid Mahmud blamed the lengthy judicial process for increase in child rights violation.
"We only have knowledge about the cases that were massively reported in the media. Despite the massive coverage, punishment has not been implemented. Law enforcement agencies have to be strong here. Usually, perpetrators are influential, and victims are frequently from the lower economic class. So it becomes difficult for the victims' family to get justice," said Abdus Sahid Mahmud.
According to Save the Children, in the first half of year, 539 children were raped while 25 were killed after rape.
