Parents of girl who filed abuse case appeal for restraint, healing after cyberbullying

The parents of a girl who filed a court complaint seeking safety from physical and mental abuse have expressed alarm over “cyberbullying” their daughter is now facing and appealed for support to help her return to a healthy life.

Speaking at a press briefing on Tuesday, the girl’s lawyer, Isfaqur Rahman Galib, said the student, who attends an English-medium school and lives with her parents in Dhaka’s Mohammadpur, is being targeted on social media following media coverage of her case, bdnews24.com reports.

The briefing was held at the Dhaka Court Reporters’ Unit (CRU), where Galib read from a letter sent by the girl’s mother detailing the family’s concern.

“She’s mentally traumatised by the bullying,” Galib said.

“Her parents have requested everyone not to harass her anymore. They want her to recover through counselling. If needed, the three of them -- daughter, mother, and father -- are willing to attend sessions together.”

According to Galib, the girl shares a home with her parents, lives in a separate room, dines at the same table, and uses the same car, but has not spoken to them in five to six years, communicating only via text.

“There’s been no physical separation, only an emotional one. Both sides now want reconciliation,” he added.

The parents, both working professionals, have acknowledged that their absence may have contributed to the emotional gap, he said

“They did not find a solution outside court, which is why she approached it. The parents have said they will respect whatever protection order the court issues.”

He also said the case should serve as a lesson.

“Working parents must ensure they give time to their children. Discipline should come with affection, and children, too, have responsibilities towards their parents. Mutual understanding is essential.”

Describing the girl’s background, he said: “She is not only an English-medium student, she also teaches English to 25 students, including the daughter of a foreign ambassador. Her fluency is excellent. She has the potential to be an asset to the country.”

In the letter, her parents said their only daughter has long suffered physically and emotionally.

“Different reasons have led to growing emotional distance between her and the family. This has caused loneliness and a sense of deep anger and resentment.”

They believe that’s what led her to seek legal recourse.

“As parents, we want her to be well, to retain trust in the law, and to receive the court’s protection,” the letter stated.

On Jun 22, the girl filed a complaint with Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate MA Azharul Islam, seeking protection from her parents.

She alleged that on the evening of May 25, at their residence on Iqbal Road in Mohammadpur, her parents physically assaulted her and verbally abused her using obscene language.

She claimed she suffered injuries and that despite being an adult, her parents continued to interfere in her personal life, subjecting her to humiliation and restrictions, including denial of access to shared household items.

The complaint also stated that she was deprived of her rightful use of family resources and subjected to verbal threats, humiliation, and physical violence, amounting to abuse.