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Rape cases on the rise as perpetrators go scot-free

Published : Thursday, 22 August, 2024 at 12:00 AM  Count : 358
Tasin Khan
Rape is the oldest and most socially stigmatizing form of oppression and violence against women. Recently, Dr. Moumita Debnath was raped and murdered on August 9 at RG Kar Medical College in Kolkata. A widespread movement demanding justice for this atrocity began in West Bengal. This strong wave of activism has transcended borders, with protests spreading to other countries, including Bangladesh. In October 2020, Bangladesh amended the Prevention of Violence Against Women and Children Act to include the death penalty as the maximum punishment for rape. Our country now stands as the seventh in the world to impose the death penalty for rape. Yet, despite this severe punishment, women continue to be targeted for rape because declaring a punishment and implementing it are not the same thing.

The question arises: What is causing this vulnerable situation?To better understand the situation, let's focus on the critical study "Human Rights Situation in Bangladesh 2023" conducted by Ain o Salish Kendra. This study reveals that 573 women were victims of single and gang rape in 2023. Thirty-three of them were killed, and 5 committed suicide as a result of rape. Additionally, many victims are unable to voice their complaints due to social and familial barriers. 

These figures provide insight into the severity of the rape crisis in Bangladesh. Even though the death penalty is the harshest punishment for rape, several factors contribute to its prevalence, including societal stigma, a patriarchal society, social degradation, and impunity. Among these factors, the most significant reason for the country's high rate of rape is its culture of impunity. If perpetrators faced exemplary punishment, many rapes could have been prevented. Rape is difficult to prove in most situations, and there is a belief that such crimes can be committed without penalties. As a result, these crimes occur far more frequently.

The fact that criminals often escape punishment is primarily due to a lack of awareness. While we are taught many safety measures from a young age-such as what to do in the case of a snake bite or a fire-it is unfortunate that most educated individuals do not know the basics of what to do in the case of a rape, how to help the victim, or how to prevent it. Despite rape being the most extreme form of violence against women and occurring across all social strata, including in prominent educational institutions such as universities and medical colleges, there is still a lack of awareness about the causes of rape, its consequences, the long-term effects, the essential steps that rape victims should follow, and the applicable laws and regulations. This results in insufficient societal awareness.
To combat heinous crimes like rape, severe punishment for the culprits and complete support for the victims are necessary. Both the government and society bear responsibility in this regard. These actions can be divided into three specific categories. First, assist the rape victim in promptly taking initial measures to preserve evidence and conduct subsequent legal proceedings. Second, provide comprehensive support to normalize the victim's life. Last but not least, raise social awareness against rape.

Ninety-seven percent of rape incidents go without penalty. This does not imply that no one is being raped or that 97% of cases are false. Rather, it indicates that we fail to present evidence. Lack of knowledge about what to do immediately after being a victim of the crime often results in evidence going undetected, making it more challenging to prove the crime. As a result, criminals can easily escape punishment.

A woman must go through various procedures after being assaulted, starting with a medical checkup. This checkup is crucial for gathering evidence, but many are unaware of this. Consequently, many rape victims are denied access to appropriate legal proceedings and medical care, carrying their grief for the rest of their lives. A medical checkup should be completed within 72 hours of the rape. If not, evidence may be lost, leading to incorrect conclusions. Actions that can destroy evidence, such as bathing or washing clothes, should be avoided.

The first step after such a traumatic incident is to go to the nearest police station. This is the main responsibility of those close to the victim. The rape victim could be the primary witness in the case. The victim has the right to complete police support. Each district under the District Judge has a Legal Aid Center where victims can apply for financial or legal aid. No rape case should ever be compromised, as the rapist is a heinous criminal deserving the maximum punishment: the death sentence. Compromising with them emboldens other criminals to commit rape.

Beyond legal punishment, we also fail to address the emotional and social well-being of the victim, starting with their physical health. Whenever a rape or sexual abuse incident occurs, the main concern of most people in society is why it happened. Many tend to blame the victim's clothing or character for the rape, which severely damages the victim's mental state. Following such a traumatic event, most women experience severe mental breakdowns due to these social stigmas, and many even commit suicide. Additionally, the victim may isolate herself from friends, relatives, and family members. Family members and close relatives need to show care to prevent the victim's emotional breakdown.

Nowadays, pictures or videos of rape victims are often spread instantly through social media. In doing so, we fail to consider the victim's dignity. According to the law, it is prohibited to publish pictures of rape victims, and there are clear instructions regarding the publication of such images. Article 43 of the Constitution guarantees citizens' basic right to privacy, which is infringed upon by publicizing images of rape victims.

Even though the woman is not at fault, she suffers all kinds of social penalties. Criminal penalties for the culprits remain challenging. Social deterrence is necessary to combat rape. Many rape victims are forced to commit suicide, and many girls drop out of education and become isolated. To prevent such outcomes and protect the lives of girls, it is crucial to build social resistance and legal measures against rape for their overall progress. Introducing sexual harassment education into the school curriculum can be beneficial. Family members should also support the girl emotionally without blaming her. With familial support, these girls will be less likely to become mentally disturbed or isolated from mainstream society.

The social system should be prepared to address the humanitarian issue of raped women through cooperation, social protests, and awareness.

The writer is a Student, Institute of Education and Research, University of Rajshahi



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