A comprehensive legal approach to rape crime

The recent report of the Manabadhikar Schngskriti Fund (MSF) \ stressed that in February 2025, 295 cases of violence against women and children were recorded in Bangladesh. The high number of cases, especially involving children, indicates the deepening of the crisis of sexual abuse in Bangladesh.

Despite the stunning number of reports, the response of the justice system was critically insufficient. Conders of such crimes remain exceptionally low, questioning the effectiveness of legal bases in resolving violence against women and children. According to the Metropolitan Police, Daka, only 24 were convicted of the last five years for such crimes, which is alarmingly small, given the amount of the problem. This emphasizes systemic failures in the legal system, ranging from delay and shortcomings of investigations and inadequate collecting evidence to public factors, such as victims’ accusations and lack of adequate support for those who survived.

Bangladesh, a legal framework that surrounds rape is primarily governed by the Law on Prevention of Women and Children 2000 (WCRPA), which was substantially changed in 2020 to impose more severe punishment, including life imprisonment or death penalty for guilty rape. Section 9 of the Law makes punishment for rape, in particular, focusing on cases related to the rape of the gang, rape of storage or death of the victim. This act is supplemented by the Criminal Code of 1860, which provides for the definition of rape according to Section 375, classifying it as sexual intercourse without consent, against the will of a woman or, fearing it to death or pain.

Improving the collection of forensic and medical evidence is vital to ensure successful beliefs. Bangladesh should invest in the most modern forensic laboratories and ensure that medical professionals receive specialized preparation for the processing of evidence related to sexual abuse.

The Law on Evidence of 1872, shamefully allowed to interrogate the past sexual history of the victim, often discredit their testimony. However, a significant reform in 2022 removed Section 155 (4), which used to allow such a question to protect the dignity of those who survived and providing a fair trial. Despite these comprehensive legal provisions, the implementation of rape laws faces constant problems in Bangladesh, which include delays in investigations and trials, poor collecting evidence and, finally, lead to low conviction.

One of the most pressing issues is the delay in the trial. While WCRPA implies that rape tests should be completed within 180 days, many cases take years in practice to reach the conclusion due to the existence of a lag, lack of resources and procedural delays. This long waiting period not only repels those who survive from legal actions, but also leaves them vulnerable to constant social stigma and victimization. The intimidation of witnesses also plays a significant role in undermining the trial process, as witnesses can be forced to withdraw their statements or retreat from evidence.

Moreover, the highlighted police units that study in sexual abuse cases will ensure that the victims are dignity and sensitivity from the moment when the case is reported. By reading the inspiration from independent UK sexual abuse advisers (ISVAS), Bangladesh could appoint professionals to support rape -up to the navigation of difficulties, helping access to psychosocial counseling and legal recommendations. This would reduce the psychological load on the victims and ensure that they do not feel isolated during the trial.

In addition, improving forensic and medical evidence is vital to ensure successful beliefs. Bangladesh should invest in the most modern forensic laboratories and ensure that medical professionals receive specialized preparation for the processing of evidence related to sexual abuse. In addition to legal reforms, social and cultural attitude to sexual abuse should be changed. Victims often face social stigma, especially in rural communities, where those who have experienced rape are often accused of attacking or pressure on the resolution of the case privately. In order to confront this, the government must introduce nationwide public awareness campaigns, focusing on gender equality, victims’ rights and the importance of respectful relationships. Including gender education in the school program would also be an effective long -term strategy to prevent future sexual abuse. Public education should also emphasize consent, gender stereotypes, nature and punishment of sexual offenses, etc.

In addition, the establishment of crisis centers of rape throughout the country should offer comprehensive support for rape victims, from medical assistance to legal assistance and psychological counseling. These centers would provide surviving people to a safe space to report crime, access to legal assistance and receive support without fear of discrimination or repression. Legal aid should be accessible to all survivors, especially for those who cannot afford it to provide fair access to justice.

Finally, the resolution of witnessing witnesses is crucial to ensuring that rape victims can be safely evidenced. The government must create a national program for protecting witnesses to protect the safety of victims and witnesses throughout the trial process. This encourages more who survived, speak and participate in the trial, without fear of retribution from the perpetrators.

By accepting these recommendations and removing from successful international models, Bangladesh can strengthen his legal response to rape and improve the victim support services, guaranteeing that the surviving were given the justice they deserve and that guilty were held accountable.

The writer is a researcher, lawyers and lawyers.