Between June 20 and 29, 2025, Bangladesh reported 24 cases of rape involving women and children, marking a sharp and alarming rise in sexual violence. Sharmeen S. Murshid, adviser to the interim government, described the situation as a 'pandemic-level crisis' and attributed it to deep-rooted social issues. She urged the government to take immediate action and ensure faster responses as public anger and concern continue to grow across the country.
Recent Rape Cases in Bangladesh
In Bhola district, a woman was allegedly gang-raped after her husband was held captive and tortured for two days in Tajumuddin upazila. Locals reported hearing screams from the house but were too afraid to intervene, as the attackers were said to be influential. Seven individuals — including local leaders of the Sramik Dal, Jubo Dal, and Chhatra Dal — have been arrested. The incident occurred at the house of the husband’s third wife, who is also among those accused.
Another harrowing incident involved the rape of a Hindu woman in Cumilla district, which sparked nationwide protests after a video of the assault went viral. Police have since arrested the main suspect, 36-year-old Fazor Ali, along with several others who circulated the video online.
The wave of sexual violence has shaken public confidence and drawn sharp criticism from civil society, legal experts, and opposition leaders. Students at Dhaka University organized campus marches, while minority community residents staged processions demanding justice. Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, Secretary General of the principal opposition party, Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), called for strict action against the perpetrators.
The High Court has taken swift steps, directing authorities to take down the viral video and ensure the safety and medical care of the survivor. However, many have criticized law enforcement, suggesting that police only acted after the video gained public attention.
According to Ain o Salish Kendra (ASK), a legal aid and human rights organization, Bangladesh has experienced a 122% increase in rape cases between 2018 and 2020. The problem persists despite the 2020 introduction of the death penalty as the maximum punishment for rape. From January to August, 978 rape cases were reported, although experts believe the actual number is much higher due to underreporting.
A staggering report from ASK revealed that between January 2020 and September 2024, at least 4,787 rape cases were recorded in the media, including 2,862 child victims. Yet, only 3,419 of these led to police cases. Legal experts highlight systemic flaws, with many victims lacking faith in the justice process. "There’s no guarantee that a victim will get justice even if they file a case, so why would they bother? Rape cases often remain unresolved beyond the mandated 180-day timeframe, and convictions are rare," said barrister Jyotirmoy Barua, citing delays and rare convictions.
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Addressing the crisis, Sharmeen S Murshid, adviser to the Ministry of Social Welfare and the Ministry of Women and Children Affairs, announced the formation of quick response teams at the upazila level. "Following the rape in Muradnagar, a team was immediately deployed under the local UNO’s leadership," she said.
The ministry’s toll-free hotline has received over 281,000 complaints over the past 10–11 months. Murshid emphasized that the root causes of the violence are complex and deep-rooted, citing politics, drug abuse, and unregulated access to mobile phones and pornography as key contributors. "A 10-year-old boy sexually assaulted a 2.5-year-old girl. He didn’t even understand what he did," she said, underscoring the urgency of intervention.
She also called for monitoring religious schools (madrasas) for child abuse and ensuring transparency and accountability. "Officials will now directly visit schools and madrasas," she promised. Murshid urged regulation of pornographic content accessible to minors and stressed the need for permanent, community-level initiatives.
The crisis has also become politically charged. Sajeeb Ahmed Wazed, son of ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her former adviser, blamed the rise in sexual violence on the current interim government led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus. He accused the administration of allowing mob violence and failing to protect minorities.
The spike in gender-based violence reflects broader concerns about law enforcement, judicial inefficiency, and deep-seated societal issues. Despite the government’s measures, many argue that a more systemic, long-term strategy is necessary to address the growing crisis and ensure justice and safety for all women in Bangladesh. [Rh/VP]