59 women victimised in public transports last year: report
At least 59 women were raped and sexually harassed in public transports last year, says a report of Bangladesh Jatri Kalyan Samity, a passenger welfare association.
Of them, 18 were raped, 14 gang-raped, nine faced attempted rape and 18 were sexually harassed, it said.
The organisation prepared the report based on news published in national dailies between January and December, and unveiled the findings in a press release.
There were 52 such incidents, 44 of which took place on roads and four each on rail and waterways, they said.
A total of 44 cases were filed and 93 accused were arrested so far, the report said. It also said the victims were not only harassed by transport workers but also by fellow male passengers.
Talking to The Daily Star, secretary general of the oganisation Mozammel Hoque Chowdhury said the number of incidents is only a glimpse of the real picture; the actual number is much higher. "Many incidents of sexual violence do not come to light due to social stigma and culture of impunity," he said.
He urged the government to take tougher measures and provide adequate support to the victims in getting timely justice.
Jatri Kalyan Samity recommended authorities place CCTV cameras inside all public transports; mandate uniforms and nameplates for transport workers; and prepare a database of workers, including their national identity cards and photos.
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