Rape cases jump 33%, suicides 65% in July: MSF

Violence against women and children declined slightly in July compared with June, but rape and suicide cases increased significantly during the month, according to a report by the Manabadhikar Shongskriti Foundation (MSF).

MSF recorded 306 incidents of violence against women and children in July, down from 320 in June, a decline of about 4.4%. The rights organisation, however, said the situation remained worrying as violence had become more brutal and complex.

The report, released on Friday in a press release signed by MSF President Sultana Kamal, was based on reports published in several leading national newspapers and information provided by local human rights activists.

According to the report, rape cases rose by about 33%, from 68 in June to 90 in July. Suicide cases also increased by around 65%, rising from 17 to 28.

MSF said the rise in rape cases reflected growing insecurity for women and children, while the increase in suicides could be linked to social oppression and lack of justice.

Several other crimes declined during the period. Gang rape cases fell from 16 to seven, rape followed by murder from five to three, attempted rape from 35 to 34, physical assault from 56 to 42, and killings of women and children from 76 to 52. The report recorded 11 abandoned newborn cases, including eight dead and three alive. It also noted a rise in abduction and missing cases from 12 to 13.

MSF expressed concern over the illegal settlement of serious crimes through local arbitration, saying at least three attempted rape and sexual assault cases were resolved this way in July.