Rape stands apart from other crimes like murder, robbery, or coercion, as it does not merely victimize an individual; it instills fear and trauma across the entire women community. Unfortunately, in recent months, this crime has surfaced in various forms with increased brutality, including child rape, gang rape, and rape followed by murder. Among these, the harrowing case of eight-year-old Asia from Magura, who was raped by her sister’s father-in-law, deeply shocked the nation. Such atrocities have a long history in Bangladesh, and while precise data still elusive, reports indicate that nearly 2,000 rape incidents are recorded annually over the past decade. In most cases, these assaults are associated with extreme violence, often culminating in the victims’ deaths.
Despite being a nation with a deeply religious populace, an active law enforcement system, and a gender-sensitive governance structure, Bangladesh continues to face harsh criticism from civil society and international organizations for its failure to curb sexual violence. This prompts pressing questions: What has led society to become so brutal towards women? What impedes timely and effective justice? And what does the future hold for women in Bangladesh regarding safety and security?
The prevalence of rape in both urban and rural areas suggests that societal structures facilitate, rather than deter the emergence of culprits. Human behavior, including criminal tendencies, is shaped by political, economic, and cultural influences. Understanding the root causes of rape requires an examination of the socio-economic backgrounds of offenders. Research indicates that many perpetrators experience social isolation, traumatic childhoods, or unsound conjugal life. Additionally, addiction to pornography, considering women as sexual instrument, and a lack of awareness regarding legal consequences further contribute to the development of such a destructive human cognizance.
Larry Baron, a renowned criminologist, argued that cultural forces and state structures not only produce rapists but also shape gender norms in ways that passively condone sexual violence. Even when direct factors are absent, cultural spillovers may foster an environment that normalizes rape. He further observed that rising divorce rates, the breakdown of family structures, and the erosion of community cohesion significantly influence the emergence of such behaviors. Feminist scholars argue that patriarchal societies fail to treat rape with the same gravity as other crimes, subtly reinforcing it as a tool of sustaining masculine society.
Another critical question arises, why do rapists often resort to murder? Criminologist Raymond A. Knight categorized rape as an act of sexual aggression in which perpetrators, fearing exposure, eliminate their victims to erase evidence. Studies in Western countries reveal that approximately 25 percent of surveyed men admitted they might commit rape if they were assured of impunity.
The persistence of sexual violence is deeply intertwined with the cognitive disposition of offenders, societal structures, and legal systems. According to UN Women, only 2.1 percent of victims worldwide receive justice. In Bangladesh, news reports indicate that over 40,000 rape cases were filed in the past decade, including 5,600 involving children. Both national and international human rights organizations now recognize this crisis as an epidemic that could have been curtailed at an earlier stage. The continuous rise in sexual violence highlights the failure of existing mechanisms to effectively address the issue.
Our values are acquired through interactions and practices in social institutions such as family, schools, or associated organizations deal with Politics, religion and culture. Additionally, Our practices repeat based on the social acceptability or associated reflection like appreciation or denunciation. While brutality against women are a repeatedly occurred incident, it means all the theories like masculinity, Disorganization and cultural spillover are responsible which prevented women from getting proper justice and control the incidents. Judicial and Policing system is nothing beyond the organizational and cultural spillovers. Some argues that Sariah law can facilitate the process of justice against the victim, however there is criticism too. Because killing someone throwing stone sounds inhuman to the human rights activist in one hand, Sariah law itself can bind women in other forms of discrimination.
As Bangladesh progresses towards a brighter future, the pervasive fear among women, the erosion of trust, and diminishing confidence demand urgent attention. Future of Bangladesh is connected to the future of women as well. Ensuring their full participation in socio-economic structures could be transformative. Thailand, one of the world’s fastest-growing economies, has recognized this, with women playing a dominant role across various sectors including bus driver, shop keepers, Police officers, doctors, engineers, supervisors and managers.
To combat sexual violence including rape, murder, and domestic abuse, coordinated efforts are required across all levels of society. The government must ensure justice, families and educational institutions must instill respect for women, and employers must foster gender-inclusive environments. Victims of sexual aggression state that they go through a re-victimization process during the judicial procedure. Rape is probably the one and only crime where victims themselves suffer from guilt which often leads them to suicide. Government along with all the civil society organizations needs to make a strong anti-violence value and to build respectful norms for women. Rapists rape, but society is the place where rapists are born, grown up and live confidently. To get rid of it, every one of us should believe that violence against women is a threat to all of us, we have to believe it together.
Md Shumon Zihady
MPA, University of Exeter, UK
PhD fellow, Asian Institute of Technology, Thailand.
Senior Assistant Secretary (On leave), Ministry of Public Administration,Government of Bangladesh.
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