Violence targeting women and children has become alarmingly frequent in the nation recently. Examining the nature of these offenses raises concerns about whether humanity has been overshadowed by brutality. It also prompts questions about the erosion of our moral teachings. Morality, in reality, is not merely theoretical but needs to be put into practice. The responsibility to uphold moral values lies with families, educators, society, and the nation as a whole.
While there is emphasis on crimes occurring in physical spaces, the significance of addressing offenses in the digital realm is often overlooked. Acts such as online public threats, divulging personal information on social platforms, spreading false information online, cyberbullying women and children, and instances of sexual harassment contribute to promoting harmful conduct and escalating into more severe crimes.
The prevailing mindset towards women and children can be discerned from the disturbing comments seen on social media posts. A fundamental shift in societal mentality is imperative, both in physical and cyber domains. Emulating models from other nations like Europe and Australia, the implementation of an eSafety, Privacy, and Defamation Regulation (EPDR) framework could safeguard individuals from online harm, data misuse, and reputational harm. It is crucial to differentiate EPDR from cyber security laws, as the former deals with protecting individuals from online harm, while the latter focuses on cyber attacks targeting critical institutions.
In Bangladesh, the severity of the situation is evident when considering the statistics. According to Ain o Salish Kendra (ASK), between January and May 20 of the current year, 118 children were subjected to rape, with 17 losing their lives. Data from ASK spanning from 2015 to 2024 revealed 5,632 reported cases of rape involving girls under 18 over the past decade, with 318 of these victims being murdered post-assault. The period from 2019 to 2021 alone saw 2,778 children falling victim to rape, nearly half of the total incidents in the previous decade. Notably, 1,018 children were victimized in 2020. Shockingly, only a minimal percentage of cases filed under the Women and Children Repression Prevention Act 2000 have concluded with a court ruling, underscoring the lack of public trust in the judicial system.
The scarcity of DNA testing facilities in a densely populated country like Bangladesh poses a significant challenge in investigating the escalating cases of sexual harassment. The absence of adequate testing facilities contributes to delays in legal proceedings, hindering justice delivery.
Comparatively, Australia ensures child protection through mandatory screening for individuals working with minors through a “Working with Children Check” card. This process involves rigorous background checks to ensure a secure environment for children, preventing individuals with a history of abuse from interacting with minors in various professions.
In the United States, a more stringent approach is adopted with publicly accessible sex offender databases, aiding in safeguarding communities. Establishing a similar database in Bangladesh could potentially aid in reducing violent incidents against women and children. Conducting thorough online background checks before hiring individuals for roles involving interactions with children, including teachers, caretakers, and security personnel, is essential.
Addressing violence against women and children transcends legal and social dimensions; it reflects a crisis of morality and humanity. To combat this issue effectively, concerted efforts are required from families, educational institutions, society, and the government. Alongside stringent law enforcement, promoting moral education, enhancing digital literacy, implementing child protection mechanisms, and ensuring expeditious justice delivery are crucial. Drawing insights from successful initiatives in other countries, Bangladesh must adopt practical, technology-driven measures to combat this pressing issue.
