Deal with rape complaints seriously

If newspaper reports are any indication, the number of the incidents of rape has risen noticeably in our country. What's more disturbing is the fact that the victims are often threatened by the perpetrators to prevent lodging of any case or complaints. The law enforcement agencies sometimes do not act seriously enough while recording rape complaints, and even decline to do so if the alleged rapists come from powerful quarters of society.

What else could cripple us more than the sense of helplessness?

The authorities concerned should understand that rape is not just any minor crime; on the contrary, it is one of the most heinous crimes that occur in a society. They should take such complaints seriously and act in accordance with the law.

Belayet Hossain, By e-mail