Hostname: page-component-586b7cd67f-t7czq Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-27T21:35:51.679Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

Analyzing Child Rape in Bangladesh: A Socio-Legal Perspective

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 November 2020

Monira Nazmi Jahan*
Affiliation:
Department of Law, East West University, Dhaka, Bangladesh
*
*Corresponding Author: Monira Nazmi Jahan, Department of Law, East West University, Dhaka, Bangladesh. E-mails: [email protected], [email protected]

Abstract

Bangladesh is experiencing an epidemic of child rape. Discrimination based on patriarchal philosophies, inadequate rape laws, inadequate policies to address child rape, a conservative criminal justice system, and a conventional judicial environment has culminated in injustice for victims. Laws exist that require severe punishments; however, child rape has not been satisfactorily prevented. Societal norms, stigma, political pressure, money, power, and the critical process of the justice system make it extraordinarily difficult for victims to receive justice. This article describes the reasons why men rape children, including offenders’ psychological conditions and the advantages that men have over the weaker in the criminal justice system, enjoying impunity. While attempting to understand the reasons broadly, statistical data show that the reporting of such crimes has been increasing, but this does not genuinely represent the actual number of crimes committed. The article focuses on social phenomena associated with child rape culture and identifies reasons why crimes are not reported. An in-depth discussion of inappropriate laws for child rape and of the loopholes in these laws demonstrates the hardship that victims face in their fight for justice. Finally, social and legal recommendations for the prevention of child rape are highlighted.

Abstracto

Abstracto

Bangladesh está experimentando una epidemia de violación infantil. La discriminación basada en filosofías patriarcales, leyes de violación inadecuadas, políticas insuficientes para abordar la violación de menores, un sistema de justicia penal conservador y un entorno judicial convencional ha culminado en la injusticia para las víctimas. Existen leyes que requieren severos castigos; sin embargo, la violación infantil no se ha prevenido satisfactoriamente. Las normas sociales, el estigma, la presión política, el dinero, el poder y el proceso crítico del sistema de justicia hacen que sea extraordinariamente difícil para las víctimas recibir justicia. Este documento describe las razones por las que los hombres violan a los niños, incluidas las condiciones psicológicas de los delincuentes y las ventajas que tienen los hombres sobre los mas débiles en el sistema de justicia penal, que gozan de impunidad. Si bien se intenta comprender las razones en términos generales, los datos estadísticos muestran que la denuncia de tales delitos ha ido en aumento, pero esto no representa realmente el número real de delitos cometidos. El articulo se centra en los fenómenos sociales asociados con la cultura de la violación infantil e identifica las razones por las que no se denuncian los delitos. Una discusión en profundidad de las leyes inapropiadas para la violación infantil y las lagunas en estas leyes demuestra las dificultades que enfrentan las víctimas en su lucha por la justicia. Finalmente, se destacan las recomendaciones sociales y legales para la prevención de la violación infantil.

Abstrait

Abstrait

Le Bangladesh connaît une épidémie de viols d’enfants. La discrimination fondée sur des philosophies patriarcales, des lois sur le viol inadéquates, des politiques insuffisantes pour lutter contre le viol des enfants, un système de justice pénale conservateur et un environnement judiciaire conventionnel a abouti à l’injustice pour les victimes. Il existe des lois qui exigent des punitions sévères; cependant, le viol d’enfants n’a pas été empêché de manière satisfaisante. Les normes sociétales, la stigmatisation, la pression politique, l’argent, le pouvoir et le processus critique du système judiciaire font qu’il est extrêmement difficile pour les victimes d’obtenir justice. Cet article décrit les raisons pour lesquelles les hommes violent des enfants, y compris les conditions psychologiques des délinquants et les avantages que les hommes ont sur les plus faibles dans le système de justice pénale, bénéficiant de l’impunité. Tout en essayant de comprendre les raisons au sens large, les données statistiques montrent que le signalement de ces crimes a augmenté, mais cela ne représente pas vraiment le nombre réel de crimes commis. L’article se concentre sur les phénomènes sociaux associés à la culture du viol d’enfants et identifie les raisons pour lesquelles les crimes ne sont pas signalés. Une discussion approfondie sur les lois inappropriées pour le viol d’enfants et les lacunes de ces lois démontre les difficultés auxquelles les victimes sont confrontées dans leur lutte pour la justice. Enfin, des recommandations sociales et juridiques pour la prévention du viol d’enfants sont mises en avant.

抽象

抽象

孟加拉国正在遭受儿童强奸的流行。基于重男轻女的歧视,强奸法不足,解决儿 童强奸的政策不足,保守的刑事司法制度以及传统的司法环境,最终导致了对受 害者的不公正。存在需要严厉惩罚的法律;但是,并没有令人满意地防止强奸儿 童。社会规范,污名,政治压力,金钱,权力和司法系统的关键程序使受害者很 难获得司法救助。本文介绍了男子强奸儿童的原因,包括罪犯的心理状况,以及 男子相对于刑事司法系统中较弱的人享有有罪不罚的优势。尽管试图广泛地理解 其原因,但统计数据表明,此类犯罪的报告在不断增加,但这并不能真正代表所 犯罪行的实际数量。这篇文章重点关注与儿童强奸文化相关的社会现象,并指出 了未报告犯罪的原因。深入讨论了不适当的儿童强奸法律以及这些法律中的漏 洞,这表明受害者在争取正义的过程中遇到了困难。最后,重点介绍了预防儿童 强奸的社会和法律建议。

نبذة مختصرة

نبذة مختصرة

تعاني بنغلاديش من وباء اغتصاب الأطفال. التمييز القائم على الفلسفات الأبوية ، وقوانين الاغتصاب غير الملائمة ، والسياسات غير الملائمة لمعالجة اغتصاب الأطفال ، ونظام العدالة الجنائية المحافظ ، والبيئة القضائية التقليدية ، كل ذلك أدى إلى ظلم الضحايا. توجد قوانين تتطلب عقوبات صارمة ؛ ومع ذلك ، لم يتم منع اغتصاب الأطفال بشكل مرض. إن الأعراف المجتمعية والوصمة والضغط السياسي والمال والسلطة والعملية الحاسمة لنظام العدالة تجعل من الصعب للغاية على الضحايا الحصول على العدالة. يصف هذا المقال الأسباب التي تجعل الرجال يغتصبون الأطفال ، بما في ذلك الظروف النفسية للجناة والمزايا التي يتمتع بها الرجال على الأضعف في نظام العدالة الجنائية ، حيث يتمتعون بالإفلات من العقاب. أثناء محاولة فهم الأسباب على نطاق واسع ، تظهر البيانات الإحصائية أن الإبلاغ عن مثل هذه الجرائم في تزايد ، لكن هذا لا يمثل بصدق العدد الفعلي للجرائم المرتكبة. يركز المقال على الظواهر الاجتماعية المرتبطة بثقافة اغتصاب الأطفال ويحدد أسباب عدم الإبلاغ عن الجرائم. توضح المناقشة المتعمقة للقوانين غير الملائمة لاغتصاب الأطفال والثغرات الموجودة في هذه القوانين الصعوبات التي يواجهها الضحايا في كفاحهم من أجل العدالة. أخيرًا ، تم تسليط الضوء على التوصيات الاجتماعية والقانونية لمنع اغتصاب الأطفال.

Type
Article
Copyright
© 2020 International Society of Criminology

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

References

Agnew, Robert. 1985. “A Revised Strain Theory of Delinquency.Social Forces 64 (1):151–67.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Agnew, Robert. 1992. “Foundation for a General Strain Theory of Crime and Delinquency.Criminology 30 (1):4788.Google Scholar
Ain o Salish Kendra. 2020. “Violence Against Children (January–December 2019).” Retrieved March 31, 2020 (http://www.askbd.org/ask/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/Violence-Against-Children-January-December-2019.pdf).Google Scholar
Akand, Raihanul Islam. 2016. “Eight-Month-Old Child Raped in Gazipur.” Dhaka Tribune, August 11, 2016. Retrieved November 15, 2019 (https://www.dhakatribune.com/bangladesh/2016/08/11/8-month-old-child-raped-gazipur).Google Scholar
Akand, Raihanul Islam. 2019. “Father Sentenced to Life for Raping Daughter, Now Pregnant.” Dhaka Tribune, July 24, 2019. Retrieved September 20, 2019 (https://www.dhakatribune.com/bangladesh/nation/2019/07/24/father-sentenced-to-life-for-raping-daughter-now-pregnant).Google Scholar
American Psychiatric Association. 1980. Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 3rd edition, revised. Washington, DC: American Psychiatric Association Publishing.Google Scholar
American Psychiatric Association. 2013. Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th edition, revised. Washington, DC: American Psychiatric Association Publishing.Google Scholar
Amin, Mehedi Al. 2019. “Only 3% Convicted Rape in Bangladesh.” Dhaka Tribune, November 26, 2019. Retrieved November 30, 2019 (https://tinyurl.com/ycru2pef).Google Scholar
Amin, Mehedi Al. 2020. “3 Children Raped Daily in 2019.” Dhaka Tribune, January 9, 2020. Retrieved February 2, 2020 (https://www.dhakatribune.com/bangladesh/2020/01/09/three-children-raped-daily-in-2019?fbclid=IwAR2KcVwCijdxmUm76xoEkL21H9J87jVbXFvAXRplEhbhG8Sa4u-49neTlF8).Google Scholar
Asha, Afsana. 2020. “Violence Against Women Continues Unabated.” The Independent, March 8, 2020. Retrieved March 10, 2020 (http://www.theindependentbd.com/post/240022).Google Scholar
Bangladesh Mahila Parishad. 2020. “State of Violence against Women and Girl in Bangladesh 2019.” June 21, 2020. Retrieved June 25, 2020 (http://mahilaparishad.org/state-of-violence-against-women-and-girl-in-bangladesh-2019/).Google Scholar
Bari, Sarah Anjum, Moyukh, Mahtab, and Sajen, Shamsuddoza. 2017. “Why Rape Victims Stay Silent.” Daily Star, May 24, 2017. Retrieved November 12, 2019 (https://www.thedailystar.net/opinion/the-big-picture/why-rape-victims-stay-silent-1409740).Google Scholar
Daily Star. 2019a. “Girl Gang-Raped as Family Refused to Withdraw Case.” Daily Star, August 20, 2019. Retrieved October 15, 2019 (https://www.thedailystar.net/frontpage/news/girl-gang-raped-family-refused-withdraw-case-1787536).Google Scholar
Daily Star. 2019b. “9-Month-Old Baby Raped in Chattogram.” Daily Star, June 26, 2019. Retrieved November 10, 2019 (https://www.thedailystar.net/country/9-month-old-baby-raped-in-chattogram-1762798).Google Scholar
Daily Star. 2019c. “Seven-Year-Old Raped.” Daily Star, August 17, 2019. Retrieved October 2, 2019 (https://www.thedailystar.net/backpage/news/gaibandha-cop-sued-over-rape-college-girl-1786279).Google Scholar
Daily Star. 2019d. “2 Female Minors Girls ‘Raped’ by Father and Neighbor.” Daily Star, February 27, 2019. Retrieved October 8, 2019 (https://www.thedailystar.net/backpage/news/2-minor-girls-raped-father-and-neighbour-1707832).Google Scholar
Daily Star. 2020. “Rapist Paid Tk 90,000 to Settle Outside Court: PBI.” Daily Star, June 24, 2020. Retrieved June 25, 2020 (https://www.thedailystar.net/city/news/rapist-paid-tk-90000-settle-outside-court-pbi-1919477).Google Scholar
Dhaka Tribune. 2020. “Banani Double-Rape Case Lingers in Absence of Witness.” Dhaka Tribune, March 28, 2020. Retrieved March 29, 2020 (https://www.dhakatribune.com/bangladesh/dhaka/2020/03/28/banani-double-rape-case-lingers-in-absence-of-witness).Google Scholar
Dietz, Park Elliot. 1983. “Sex Offenses: Behavioral Aspects.” In Encyclopedia of Crime and Justice, edited by Sanford, H. Kadish. New York: Free Press.Google Scholar
Fulu, Emma, Warner, Xian, Miedema, Stephanie, Jewkes, Rachel, Roselli, Tim, and Lang, James. 2013. Why do Some Men Use Violence Against Women, and How Can We Prevent It? Quantitative Findings from the United Nations Multi-Country Study on Men and Violence in Asia and the Pacific. Bangkok: UNDP, UNFPA, UN Women and UNV.Google Scholar
Haider, Abu Afsarul. 2020. “Women’s Empowerment is Meaningless Without Safety.” Daily Star, March 13, 2020. Retrieved March 29, 2020 (https://www.thedailystar.net/opinion/news/womens-empowerment-meaningless-without-safety-1880011).Google Scholar
Hossain, Md. Zakir. 2020. “Quest for Justice on Rape Cases in Bangladesh.” Dhaka Courier, January 24, 2020. Retrieved February 26, 2020 (http://dhakacourier.com.bd/news/Society/Quest-for-Justice-on-Rape-Cases-in-Bangladesh/2094).Google Scholar
Jagonews24. 2020. “2 Get Death For Killing Two Children After Rape.” Jagonews24, March 3, 2020. Retrieved April 1, 2020 (https://www.jagonews24.com/en/national/news/48498).Google Scholar
Kalerkantho. 2015. “Punishment of Child Rape in the Madrasa is a Fine of 5 Thousand Rupees!” Kalerkantho, November 30, 2015. Retrieved November 25, 2019 (https://tinyurl.com/ybjbg49n).Google Scholar
Khan, M. R. 2019. “As Many Obstacles in Cases of Violence Against Women.” Prothom Alo, April 30, 2019. Retrieved November 30, 2019 (https://tinyurl.com/y9wdenbn).Google Scholar
Khatun, Sayema. 2019. “How we Combated Violence Against Women 2019.” Daily Star, December 29, 2019. Retrieved January 30, 2020 (https://www.thedailystar.net/opinion/news/how-we-combated-violence-against-women-2019-1846438).Google Scholar
Lanning, Kenneth V. 1992. Child Molesters: A Behavioral Analysis For Law Enforcement Officers Investigating Cases of Child Sexual Exploitation, 3rd edition. New York: National Center for Missing & Exploited Children.Google Scholar
Law Commission of Bangladesh. 2011. “Final Report on a Proposed Law Relating to the Protection of Victims and Witnesses of Crimes Involving Grave Offenses.” Report no. 108, 2011. Retrieved January 15, 2020 (http://www.lawcommissionbangladesh.org/reports/74.pdf).Google Scholar
Magurarkhabor. 2020. “Madrasa Teacher Jailed For Raping Child Student. ” Magurarkhabor, February 26, 2020. Retrieved March 1, 2020 (https://tinyurl.com/ya5odauy).Google Scholar
Moneruzzaman, M. 2019. “Complete Rape Trials in Six Months: HC.” Newage Bangladesh, July 18, 2019. Retrieved November 25, 2019 (https://www.newagebd.net/article/78866/complete-rape-trial-in-6-months-hc).Google Scholar
Paranjape, N. 2014. Criminology & Penology with Victimology, 16th edition. Allahabad: Central Law Publication.Google Scholar
Seto, Michael C. 2004. “Pedophilia and Sexual Offenses Against Children.Annual Review of Clinical Psychology 5:391407.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Shopon, H. R. 2020. “Rape Has Doubled in 2019.” Deutsche Welle, January 4, 2020. Retrieved January 20, 2020 (https://tinyurl.com/u4axfro).Google Scholar
Tipu, Sanaul I. 2019. “Konapara Double Murder Case: Police Submit Charge Sheet Against 2.” Dhaka Tribune, January 24, 2019. Retrieved September 30, 2019 (https://www.dhakatribune.com/bangladesh/dhaka/2019/01/24/konapara-double-murder-case-police-submit-charge-sheet-against-2).Google Scholar
World Prison Brief. 2020. “World Prison Brief Data Bangladesh, 2020.” Department of Prisons, Ministry of Home Affairs, Bangladesh. Retrieved April 1, 2020 (https://www.prisonstudies.org/country/bangladesh).Google Scholar
Yeasin, Muhammad. 2020. “Trial Delay in Rape Cases Frustrates Victims.” The Independent, January 20, 2020. Retrieved February 25, 2020 (http://www.theindependentbd.com/post/233068).Google Scholar

Legislation

Cruelty to Women (Deterrent Punishment) Ordinance, 1983 (Ordinance LX of 1983). Retrieved December 12, 2019 (https://www.lawyersnjurists.com/lawyer_ci/digest/cruelty-to-women-deterrent-punishment-ordinance-1983-1).Google Scholar
International Domestic Workers Federation. 2015. “The Domestic Workers Protection and Welfare Policy, 2015.” Ministry of Labour and Employment, People’s Republic of Bangladesh. Retrieved October 10, 2019 (https://idwfed.org/en/updates/bangladesh-cabinet-clears-draft-policy-to-protect-domestic-workers-rights/bangladesh_dw_policy2015_adopteddoc.pdf).Google Scholar
The Bangladesh Jail Code, 2006 revised. Superintendent, Government Printing Press, Bangladesh. Retrieved January 20, 2020 (https://studylib.net/doc/8495972/the-bangladesh-jail-code).Google Scholar
The Constitution of The People’s Republic of Bangladesh, 1972. Retrieved October 23, 2019 (http://bdlaws.minlaw.gov.bd/act-367.html).Google Scholar
The Domestic Violence (Prevention and Protection) Act, 2010 (Act of VIII of 2010). Retrieved September 30, 2020 (https://mowca.portal.gov.bd/sites/default/files/files/mowca.portal.gov.bd/page/203db6dc_7c82_4aa0_98a6_8672334b235c/Domestic%20Violence%20Act%20English.pdf).Google Scholar
The Majority Act, 1875 (Act of IX of 1875). Retrieved September 27, 2019 (http://bdlaws.minlaw.gov.bd/act-33.html).Google Scholar
The Penal Code, 1860 (Act of XLV of 1860). Retrieved October 1, 2019 (http://bdlaws.minlaw.gov.bd/act-11.html).Google Scholar
The Pornography Control Act, 2012 (Act of IX of 2012). Retrieved November 1, 2019 (http://bdlaws.minlaw.gov.bd/act-1091.html).Google Scholar
The Prevention and Suppression of Human Trafficking Act, 2012 (Act of III of 2012). Retrieved November 2, 2019 (http://bdlaws.minlaw.gov.bd/act-1086.html).Google Scholar
The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, 1989. Retrieved December 1, 2019 (https://www.ohchr.org/en/professionalinterest/pages/crc.aspx).Google Scholar
The Women and Children Repression Prevention Act, 2000 (Act of VIII of 2000), amended in 2003 (Act of XXX of 2003). Retrieved September 1, 2020 (http://bdlaws.minlaw.gov.bd/act-835.html).Google Scholar
The Women and Children Repression Prevention (Special Provision) Act, 1995 (Act of XVIII of 1995). Retrieved October 31, 2019 (https://www.sai.uni-heidelberg.de/workgroups/bdlaw/1995-a18.htm).Google Scholar

Cases

Abdus Samad (Md.) vs. The State, High Court Division Criminal Miscellaneous Suo Moto Rule No. 23508 of 2013.Google Scholar
Hanif Sheikh vs. Asia Begum, 51 Dhaka Law Reports, 1999.Google Scholar
Motiur Rahman Mithu vs. The State, 15 Bangladesh Legal Decisions, 2015.Google Scholar
Naripokkho and Others vs. Bangladesh, High Court Division 2016 in Writ Petition No. 5541 of 2015.Google Scholar
Safazuddin and Another vs. The State, 27 Bangladesh Legal Decisions, High Court Division 2007.Google Scholar
T.K. Gopal v. State of Karnataka, 2000, 3 Supreme 706 (SC): (2001) 4 LIR 1045:2000 Cr LJ2286: JT 2000 (6) SC 177: (2000) 6 SCC 168.Google Scholar
Wasim Mia and Another vs. The State, 23 Bangladesh Legal Decisions, 2003.Google Scholar