Bangladesh witnesses nearly 600 rape incidents in six months

Nearly 600 incidents of rape occurred across the country in last six months till June 30 this year, Bangladesh Mahila Parishad (BMP) said.

Among the 592 incidents, 98 women and children became victims of gang rape, 29 were killed after being raped and 61 others were escaped attempted rape during the period, the BMP said.

The women's human rights organisation also revealed that 65 women and children were sexually harassed between January 1 and June 30.

The BMP, which works for protecting women’s rights, revealed the information in its report on Monday, said a press release.

The report was prepared compiling news published in 14 dailies from January to June, it said.

According to BMP’s report, 2,063 women and children became victims of various types of violence, including rape, eve-teasing, physical torture for dowry demand etc.

At least 10 women and children became victims of acid attack, of them, two died and 45 others became victims of burnt – of whom, 10 died during the period, the report said.

The women organisation also said in the report that 77 were kidnapped, 13 were trafficked. Of the trafficked ones, four were sold in brothels.

It said, 268 women and children were killed for different reasons and attempts were made on 27 others.

At least 13 domestic helps were victims of torture while three were killed and two others were forced to commit suicide. Some 113 women became victims of torture because of dowry, of them 51 were killed.

According to the report, 90 women were made victims of teasing, among them 11 were forced to commit suicide and 154 other women were forced to commit suicide for different reasons, while nine more attempted to commit suicide and 15 were provoked to commit suicide.

At least 188 women and children died mysteriously and a total of 84 girls became victims of child marriage.

On the other hand, a total of 171 women and children were physically harassed and seven others became victims of fatwa in the last six months, reports UNB.

Three women were allegedly tortured by police and 20 others were forcefully married off, while 68 incidents of different kinds of tortures also took place in the first six months of the year, according to the BMP report.