Bangladesh is struggling with a sharp surge in mob attacks and violence against women and children fuelling public anxiety and anger. The brutal killing of an eight-year-old rape victim from Magura on March 12 has triggered massive protest and demand of justice.
Angered by the incident the local set ablaze the residence of the accused. This case, in sum with an assault which put a second-grade student from Sirajganj into the hospital, illustrates a disturbing trend that is getting lot worse.
In the last two months of 2025, alone, 85 women were raped, said Ain o Salish Kendra (ASK). Between 2017 and 2024, 9,677 children under 18 suffered violence, nearly half were raped. The Human Rights Support Society (HRSS) claims that between 2020 and 2024, at least 6,305 were raped women and children, and 3,471 were minors. 
Mob attacks have also surged in the country after the overthrow of former Prime Minister, Sheikh Hasina in August 2024. We have 27 mob killings on record for January and February 2025 and just 32 for the first seven months of 2024. The Bangladesh Police recorded 294 murder cases in January 2025, a rise from 231 the same time last year, marking a 69 percent rise.
Interim government officials such as Information and Broadcasting Adviser Mohammad Mahfuj Alam have threatened strict action against the culprits. However, human rights bodies say the crisis will continue without community mobilization and more police action.
