UNICEF has expressed deep shock and concern over recent incidents of brutal violence against children in Bangladesh, including the rape and killing of girls and boys in places where they were expected to be safe.
“Brutality against children must stop,” UNICEF Representative in Bangladesh Rana Flowers said in a statement.
She said the growing number of reports of sexual and brutal violence against women and children across the country in 2026 highlights the urgent need to strengthen child protection and gender-based violence prevention systems.
Rana Flowers said the culture of impunity for perpetrators must end and gaps in prevention, reporting, institutional safety, child-friendly policing, justice and social services must be addressed.
She also stressed the importance of psychosocial support for women and children and called for stronger accountability in schools, madrasas, workplaces, neighbourhoods and care centres.
“Violence spreads when communities stay silent,” she said, urging people to report abuse and exploitation through available protection services including Child Helpline 1098.
UNICEF also urged the public, media outlets and social media users not to share photos, videos or personal details of victims, saying such actions increase the trauma of survivors and their families.
The organisation called on everyone to raise their voices for stronger protection systems and an end to impunity for offenders.
“Every child has the right to protection everywhere, in communities, schools, at home and even in how their stories and images are treated in public spaces,” Rana Flowers added.
