The acid attack survivors want the government come forward to effectively ensure their rehabilitation and inclusion in the society and take care of their mental health, according to a study.
It said the survivors’ reliance on the NGOs was comparatively low.
The research also found the acid survivors believed that only the government could help them as they suffered a lifelong trauma which needed support.
The study findings were presented at an international conference titled “Setting standard for psychosocial and mental health service provision for victims of acid and burn violence” organised by the Acid Survivors Foundation at the Bangabandhu International Convention Centre.
At the programme, Professor Diana Harcourt of the University of the West of England revealed the findings of study.
Diana said although 16% population of Bangladesh suffered mental health problem, the government only spent 0.05% of the total budget in this regard.
“Psychosocial and mental health are vital requiring proper care that must be provided for the sufferers along with other care.”
Pointing out that most acid survivors are faced with social stigma which works against their life and livelihood, Runa Liala, an acid survivor, said: “We are not allowed to go to any social programme like wedding ceremony because everybody looks down upon us, not the acid throwers.”
“Despite being a victim of acid violence we are treated as ominous, but not those who threw acid on us,” she said.
Runa Liala added that they (acid survivors) could have lived in peace even with such social stigma if the perpetrators had been punished.
State Minister for Women and Children Affairs Ministry Meher Afroze Chumki admitted that the rate of punishment and implementation of laws remained low despite several laws on violence against women including acid violence.
According to the government Acid Crime Case Monitoring Cell, more than 3,500 victims and a total of 1,812 cases have been filed accusing 4,682 people.
Participants from across the world and acid survivors – male, female and children – came up with their several recommendations regarding their inclusion in the society and promotion of mental health.
The recommendations include ensuring exemplary punishment to the perpetrators, lifelong mental help to the survivors, inclusion of acid survivors in social activities and household work, providing the survivors with financial help and rehabilitation.
