Sexual Violence on Rise in Bangladesh: 3-Year-Old Girl Got Raped by a Teenager While Buying Chocolate Near Her Home

Yellow Stop Tapes Surrounding the Restricted Zone, by cottonbro studio via Pexels, 2021.

A 3-year-old girl became a victim of sexual violence on her way to buy chocolate close to her residence. The child was found by her mother undressed and assaulted. The perpetrator is a 17-year-old shopkeeper who’s already under arrest.

On March 3rd, a 3-year-old girl left her home to buy candy near her residence in Barlekha Upazila. Later that day, she was found by her mother, undressed and sexually assaulted, with severe injuries on her body. The victim was taken to the Stop Crisis Center at Sylhet MAG Osmani Medical College Hospital (“17-Year-Old Arrested Over Rape of Child in Moulvibazar”, 2025). The child’s mother accused and filed a case against a 17-year-old shop owner, who was arrested and taken to the Juvenile Development Center. 

Sexual harassment incidents on women and children have increased in the ongoing civil unrest. According to the statistics, at least 8, 307 cases of sexual violence, rape and domestic violence have been recorded all over Bangladesh since the August mass uprising (Chakma, 2025). Alarming numbers only worsen as the government is not able to adequately address the situation, further increasing the vulnerability of women and children. 

Sources and Further Readings:

17-year-old arrested over rape of child in Moulvibazar. (2025, March 4). The Daily Star. <https://www.thedailystar.net/news/bangladesh/crime-justice/news/17-year-old-arrested-over-rape-child-moulvibazar-3839396> Accessed on March 6 2025. 

3-Year-Old girl raped in Moulvibazar while buying chocolate near her home. (2025, March 4). Tezz Feed. <https://tezzfeed.com/latest-news/3-year-old-girl-raped-in-moulvibazar-while-buying-chocolate-near-her-home-1741107127492> Accessed on March 6 2025. 

Chakma, P. (2025, March 8). End to violence against women in Bangladesh not in sight. NEWAGE. <https://www.newagebd.net/post/country/259602/end-to-violence-against-women-not-in-sight> Accessed on March 8 2025. 

Youth sent to jail over rape of 3-year-old child in Moulvibazar. (2025, March 5). The Business Standard. <https://www.tbsnews.net/bangladesh/youth-sent-jail-over-rape-3-year-old-child-moulvibazar-1085181> Accessed on March 6 2025.