Again a teenage girl has been gang-raped, this time in Dakshin Khan Area of Dhaka. It is reassuring that the police have arrested five youths who are suspects in the gang-rape of the 16-year-old school girl. But the rising incidence of rape and gang-rape of young girls and women leaves us with a feeling of helplessness and unease. Last year, according to Ain O Shalish Kendra, 846 rapes were reported with 60 of the victims dying as a result of the rape. Of the victims, 163 were between 7 and 12-years-old.
These chilling statistics plus the latest incident indicate a frightening rise of sexual violence against women and girls. In many of the cases, the rapists are known faces. In the Dakshin Khan case, at least one of the rapists was a friend of the girl who lured her into a flat and then raped her along with his friends.
But all this points to a society where basic moral values are corroding and where the legal system is not particularly conducive to getting prompt redress. More importantly the way victims of rape are treated while filing cases, especially during medical examinations, adds to their trauma.
It goes without saying that we must address many of the factors leading to such sexual violence. Law enforcers must be trained to deal with such cases with utmost sensitivity and the system must ensure that rapists do not go scot free with money and influence. It is equally important to inculcate respect for girls and women among our youth along with stringent enforcement of the law.
