Alarming number of rape cases in 2019
When will this culture of impunity end?
According to data from the Police Headquarters, 6,321 rape cases were filed with police stations in 2019, a 19 percent increase from the 5,123 cases that were lodged in 2018. Another report published in the Prothom Alo identified the rapes of 211 women and children in the first month of 2020 alone. Let that number sink in.
It is an understatement to say that we are appalled by the rape statistics that are splattered across our papers every single day, but what is even more appalling is how few of these rape survivors are given justice in the end. The comments of certain lawmakers in mid-January to "crossfire" rapists sound even more hollow now—why make emotional statements to rile up public sentiment when Women and Children Repression (Prevention) Tribunals and the district courts are still failing to complete rape trials within 180 days as stipulated by the law, and less than two percent of rape cases are leading to convictions?
Data from one-stop crisis centres across the country also show that around 78 percent of rape survivors who visited the centres do not choose to pursue legal action, even after taking the initial step of treatment. This means that the actual number of rapes in Bangladesh are likely to be far higher than the data shown by the PHQ. In fact, the higher incidence of rape cases in 2019 may be a reflection of survivors feeling more emboldened to come forward with their stories. However, given the low rates of conviction and the culture of impunity that currently exists, along with the social stigma faced by survivors that often leads to out-of-court settlements and a promise of silence for the sake of protecting their "honour"—a vile and outdated sentiment used to cover up the worst forms of violence—this trend may soon be reversed.
On January 19, the High Court directed the government to form a commission within 30 days under the Ministry of Law to stop rape and violence against women. We urge the authorities to immediately set up this commission, as well as to take the advice of legal experts in enacting witness protection laws and strengthening the use of the evidence act to ensure speedy trials and punishments for rapists. Additionally, we urge the authorities to provide legal aid and create safe spaces for rape survivors who are susceptible to being pressurised by their family members and local communities. Let us not forget that a large number of rape victims are minors in incredibly vulnerable positions, and an even larger portion of these rapes are committed by people in positions of trust. Without urgent action, we may never be able to get a clear picture of how many women and children are silently suffering abuse in this country.