The frequency of children experiencing harassment, abuse, and assault is a growing concern. Recent reports have highlighted disturbing trends in child violence in the nation. A tragic incident unfolded in Shariatpur’s Bhedarganj upazila involving the murder of a six-year-old girl. The young nursery student disappeared on September 24 and was found dead two days later in a neighbor’s septic tank. The autopsy revealed she was sexually assaulted and strangled. The heinous details of the crime are deeply troubling, raising questions about the safety of children in our society.
Ain o Salish Kendra reported that from January to August this year, 297 children were killed nationwide. The ages of the victims, particularly 65 aged 0-6 and 66 aged 7-12, add to the gravity of the situation. Data from ASK on child rape is equally distressing, with 326 girls and 34 boys being victims in the first eight months of 2025. These figures likely underestimate the actual scale of the issue due to underreporting and limited legal action. The concerning statistics shed light on the inadequacy of child protection efforts by the state despite ongoing initiatives.
The justice system’s response to such crimes is also lacking, evident in the abysmally low conviction and punishment rates for offenses against children between January and August this year, standing at 0.52% and 0.30%, respectively. These dismal figures only empower offenders. To safeguard children effectively, the prevailing culture of impunity must be dismantled. Ensuring swift and robust legal processes leading to convictions for child crimes is imperative. In the case of the child murder in Shariatpur, a prompt and thorough investigation followed by justice delivery is essential. Holding perpetrators accountable in such instances is crucial to deterring future crimes against children.