The Growing Rape Incidences Seems an Epidemic Turn of Sexual Violence in Bangladesh

Abstract

Violence against women is the most prevalent form of human rights infringement, with severe physical, mental, and social consequences for the victim. Sexual violence includes “rape” defined by the World Health Organization (WHO) as “A physically forced or otherwise coerced penetration—even if slight—of the vulva or anus, using a penis, other body parts or an object.”1 Bangladesh has faced an alarming increase in rape incidences over the last few years. According to data from Ain o Salish Kendra (ASK), a legal aid and human rights organization of Bangladesh, rape cases have increased by 122% in the span of 3 years from 2018 to 2020.2 In a desperate attempt to deter sexual assailants, the Bangladesh government introduced the death penalty as the maximum punishment for rape cases on 12 October 2020.3 However, there seems to be no stall in the increment of rapes, with 978 rape cases occurring between January and August of this year