Child murder and rape: State failure or societal degradation?

– Dr. Shabnam Jahan, Professor, Dhaka University

 

The incidents of child murder and sexual violence in Bangladesh are increasing at an alarming rate. Every day, news of child abuse, rape or murder comes to the pages of newspapers somewhere in the country. Ensuring the safety of children is one of the main responsibilities of the government in any civilized country. However, the current reality shows that the state is failing miserably in fulfilling that responsibility. Especially in the last two years, the deterioration of law and order and the absence of effective measures to control crime have created deep concern among the public.

Nowhere is safe.

Children are the most innocent and vulnerable members of society. Yet today they are not safe at home, at school, and even in familiar environments. Even after heinous crimes like rape and murder, criminals are repeatedly getting away with it due to political influence, weak investigation, or impunity. Despite repeated declarations of “zero tolerance,” there has been no effective change in controlling this crime at the field level.

The weakness of the law enforcement agencies and administrative mismanagement have further complicated the situation. Criminals know that it is possible to avoid punishment by taking advantage of political asylum or lengthy judicial processes. As a result, crimes like child rape and murder are not stopping. It is not just a matter of making statements, but the state’s responsibility to ensure speedy justice and restore a sense of security in the minds of the public.

 

A family destroyed by numbers

The statistics are horrifying. In 2024, the number of reported rape cases was 337, and in 2025, it increased to 629. According to the Bangladesh Mahila Parishad, in the first four months of this year alone, at least 476 women and children were raped, and another 153 were victims of attempted rape.

According to data from the Ain O Salish Kendra (ASK) and the Bangladesh Shishu Odhikar Forum, a large portion of the victims are under the age of 12. In many cases, the perpetrators are known to the family — neighbors, teachers, or relatives.

These are not just numbers. Behind each number is the story of a destroyed family.

 

Ayesha to Ramisa — The habit of forgetting

The rape and murder of Ayesha in Magura shook the entire country. Political leaders attended the funeral of eight-year-old Ayesha in helicopters, making big promises. The then legal advisor promised a trial within 90 days. Social media was abuzz with grief, condemnation and demands for justice.

Then? Nothing changed.

A few months later, a seven-year-old girl was found walking alone in the Sitakunda forest with her throat slit — after the rape attempt failed, the attacker slashed her throat. She could not be saved in Iraq either. In Mirpur, little Ramisa was raped in her own home despite being close to her mother, then killed and her tiny body was dismembered.

Where are our children safe?

In this country, one child after another is raped, some die, the nation erupts in protest, new hashtags trend, social media is swept away in grief. Then, slowly, everyone forgets. Another name is added to the list. The government makes the usual statements — as if that is all it does. With luck, the perpetrator is sometimes caught. Days, months, years — even decades pass, but justice does not come. Dreamless families often die without seeing the punishment of their child killers or rapists.

Who would say that the maximum punishment for rape in this country is death penalty?

 

Root problems

Children are easily victims of violence due to the lack of adequate education and awareness programs on child protection in schools, families, and society. In addition, drugs, unemployment, and moral decay are fueling criminality — the government has not made any visible progress in these areas.

The most tragic thing is that many cases of child murder are buried under the cover of political rhetoric and power struggles. Yet each murdered child is the dream of a family, the future of a nation.

 

We must work beyond political blame.

It is now essential to move beyond political blame and take practical steps to address this crisis. Without the establishment of fast-track tribunals for child abuse, strict enforcement of the law, increased social awareness, and real administrative accountability, this crisis will only deepen.

Schools and madrasas should have child protection policies and accessible complaint mechanisms. Children should be given safety education. Offenders should be punished swiftly and exemplary. It is equally important to instill compassion and humane values ​​in children.

 

A state is successful only when its children are safe. If it fails to ensure that safety, all the government’s claims of success become questionable.

Building a safe Bangladesh for children is now the most urgent demand of the nation. And to fulfill that demand, the state, society, family, and educational institutions — everyone must work together. The time to answer this question is now: after how many more children’s bodies will the state wake up?