109 madrasa students sexually abused in 9 months: JMBF

At least 109 children have been sexually abused in madrasas across Bangladesh in the first nine months of 2026, raising fresh concerns over child protection, institutional accountability and barriers to justice, according to human rights organisation Justice Makers Bangladesh France (JMBF).

Although parents send their children to madrasas expecting moral education and a safe environment, allegations of sexual abuse and rape of boys continue to emerge, with rights activists warning that weak safeguarding mechanisms and the absence of clear forensic protocols are undermining efforts to bring perpetrators to justice.

JMBF documented a total of 131 incidents of rape or attempted rape of boys between January and September across the country including madrasas, involving 171 victims. Of them, 161 children were victims of rape and 10 of attempted rape. The organisation reported that most of the documented incidents occurred on madrasa premises.

The plight of victims is compounded by delays in judicial proceedings and the difficulties of gathering and preserving forensic evidence.

In May, the body of 10-year-old madrasa student Abdullah was found hanging at an institution in the capital’s Banasree area. His mother filed a case alleging sexual abuse and incitement to suicide, leading to the arrest of a senior student of the same madrasa. Nearly seven months later, however, no visible progress has been made in the judicial proceedings, according to the information provided.

Supreme Court lawyer Advocate Ishrat Hasan identified the lack of specific standard operating procedures (SOPs) for examining boys, collecting and preserving samples, and preparing forensic reports as a major obstacle to securing justice.

Without clear protocols, medical and DNA evidence may not be properly collected, documented or presented before courts, creating serious challenges in establishing criminal liability and securing convictions, she observed.

Social stigma and fear of public humiliation also prevent many victims and their families from reporting abuse, leaving children without timely medical treatment and psychological support.

Human rights activist Advocate Fauzia Karim stressed that punitive measures alone would not prevent such crimes. She called for age-appropriate awareness of ‘good touch’ and ‘bad touch’ among children in all educational institutions, including madrasas, alongside awareness programmes for teachers and parents.

Rights activists have also called for professional counselling facilities, confidential reporting mechanisms, strict enforcement of child protection policies and effective internal accountability systems in educational institutions.

They stressed that protecting children requires not only prosecution of offenders but also institutional safeguards that enable victims to report abuse without fear, preserve crucial evidence and obtain timely medical, psychological and legal assistance.