The government is set to observe “Child Rights Day and Child Rights Week 2015” from Sunday amid steep rise in violence against children and adolescents around the country this year.
During the period of January-September, a total of 4,677 children were reportedly subjected to different forms of violence – which was fatal in some cases – around the country, according to a recent report by Bangladesh Shishu Adhikar Forum (BSAF).
Incidents like rape, suicide, abduction, missing persons, and death by torture are significantly high in number this year compared to the last three years.
Number of children dying in road accidents and by drowning – two most common forms of accidents that kill children in the country – is higher this year as well.
Rape was found to be the prominent form of violence against children – at least 404 children were raped during the first nine months of the year – more than double the number last year, according to the report which was compiled using news reported by 10 national dailies.
Among them, 96 children were raped in January-March, 134 in April-June, and 174 in July-September. The figure was 199 in 2014, 170 in 2013, and 85 in 2012. The incidents of child murder were slightly less this year – a total of 246 children were killed this year, as opposed 350 last year, 218 in 2013 and 201 in 2012.
The suicidal tendency among children has increased alarmingly this year: 182 children committed suicide between January and September this year, compared to 143 in 2014, 77 in 2013 and 49 in 2012.
A total of 201 children were reportedly abducted this year which is less than last year but around 3.5 times more than the previous year. In 2014, 209 children were abducted, 61 children in 2013 and 67 in 2012.
The report also highlights the alarming state of children gone missing this year. At least 111 children went missing this year, slightly higher than last year – 80 children went missing in 2014 – but 4.5 times higher than 2013 – 25 children – and four times higher than 2012 – 28 children.
Among the children missing this year, three were rescued and 52 were found dead, according to the reports.
Use of corporal punishment in schools was prevalent around the country despite government ban. At least 191 children were physically tortured at this year, while the number was 175 last year, 170 in 2013 and only 42 in 2012.
Talking to the Dhaka Tribune, BSAF Director Abdus Shahid Mahmood blamed lack of justice, negligence in responding to alarming situation and a general lack of awareness as the main causes behind the state of violence against children in the country.
“In case of abuses and murders, many families opt out of filing a complaint or case with police. So, it is upon the police to be vigilant in order to be aware of such incidents when they occur and file cases,” he told the Dhaka Tribune yesterday.
“In addition, speedy investigation and strict punishment for the criminals needs to ensured to reduce violence against children. Proper implementation of the existing laws will also help in this matter,” he added.
The report also highlighted the rising number of children dying in accidents – mainly road accidents and drowning. According to the report, the number of children killed in road accidents is 395 – following the ascending trend of the previous years: the number was 266 in 2014, 149 in 2013, and 99 in 2012.
At least 354 children died from drowning in the first nine months of this year, while 165 children drowned in 2014, 132 in 2013 and 125 in 2012.