Effective action urgently needed to stop child abuse

Incidents of child abuse in the country are frequently reported in the media. Unfortunately, the truth is that children are abused more often by people they know than by strangers. In most cases, however, these incidents are not made public. Due to shame and social ties, families try to resolve such matters internally. There are positive laws and policies in the country to prevent such abuse, but due to lack of proper enforcement and awareness, the situation of child abuse remains alarming.

According to news published on Monday (August 11), the Child Helpline run by the Department of Social Services to assist children in distress received 26,100 calls seeking help between January and July this year. In the same period last year, the helpline received 19,265 calls. Compared to last year, there has been an increase of nearly 7,000 requests for assistance related to child abuse and violence this year.

Statistics from the human rights organisation Ain o Salish Kendra also reveal an increase in incidents of violence and abuse against children. According to their data, 640 children have been victims of abuse in the past seven months. In the same period last year, 463 children were abused. In the first seven months of this year, 306 children were raped, compared to 175 last year. The year before that (2023), during the same period, there were 618 incidents of violence and 194 cases of child rape.

One example of the horrific scale of child abuse and murder in society is the brutal killing of a mother and her two children in Bhaluka, Mymensingh, on 13 July. The killer was none other than the children’s own uncle, Nazrul Islam. After his arrest, he confessed to the murders in a court statement.

Researchers state that due to family instability, frustration, mental illness, drug addiction, and marital conflict, many parents vent their anger, resentment, and despair on their children, leading to an increase in child abuse. To overcome this, they emphasise the need for more restrained and humane behaviour towards children, regular communication among family members, mutual respect and cooperation, and creating a safe and loving environment for children.

On the other hand, child abuse does not harm only the child concerned; it also damages the state and society as a whole. A child who could have become an asset to the family, society, and the state is hindered by abuse. Therefore, stopping child abuse is essential not only for the welfare of children but also to sustain the country’s continued development.

Poverty exists in the country, but it is not the only problem. The situation of the country’s one million street children shows there are other causes, especially domestic abuse, which often breaks family bonds. As a result, many children leave their families and end up on the streets. Currently, there are over 1.7 million child labourers in the country, many of them engaged in hazardous work. Various studies have revealed the severe abuse they face, and in some cases, they are even killed. Yet, if appropriate projects were undertaken and implemented for their development, these same children could have received proper education and contributed to national progress. It can be said that if children’s rights are not ensured, they will not grow up in a normal way, and the country will not be able to achieve its desired goals.

Therefore, to build a prosperous Bangladesh, it is essential to ensure children’s proper rights, education, and security. To this end, various programmes are being implemented to improve children’s quality of life, such as the introduction of free education, stipends, free distribution of books, and increasing the number of female teachers. The government has formulated the National Children Policy and the Women Development Policy. Although these measures have significantly reduced child marriage and abuse, the decline has not yet been at the expected level. Therefore, a safe and sound environment, quality healthcare, and a society free from abuse and oppression must be ensured for children. At the same time, everyone, including close relatives, must treat children humanely, and greater emphasis must be placed on practising morality and values.