Child abuse rate in workplaces increased by 137 percent in July: MJF Study

The rate of child abuse in workplaces has increased by 137 percent in July, compared to June this year, as people are returning to work after the end of the novel coronavirus-induced general holiday, reads a press release.

Manusher Jonno Foundation (MJF) conducted a rapid telephone survey in July and found that some 692 children were victims of violence during the survey period while the number was only 292 in June.

As expected, domestic violence has decreased with the easing of the lockdown.

"In July, the rate of child abductions also increased. Some 69 children were abducted and a total of 2,969 children were reported to have been tortured. Of them, 1,989 were girls, which is 66 percent, and 1,000 were boys [34 percent]," read the statement. 

Data for this rapid telephone survey was collected in July from 111 partner organisations of MJF in 53 districts to assess the situation of women and children in the gradual easing of the lockdown situation. 

A total of 63,968 women and children were telephoned. Of them, 44, 875 were women and 19,093 were children. The total number of victims, including women and children, was 11,471 in July and 12,640 in June.

The number of women victims in July was 7,492, which was 9,844 in June. The number of child victims increased to 2,969 in July, which was 2,696 in June.

The total number of new victims, including women and children, is 3,699. Of them, 3,293 were women, 39 percent, and 708 were children, 20 percent.

"A total of 8,369 women became victims of domestic violence, which is 94.8 percent. In addition, 56 women were sexually harassed, 19 women were raped or victims of attempted rape, 11 women were killed, and 17 women were sexually harassed while collecting food and relief," read the press release.

Although the highest number of children are victims of domestic violence, the number of child marriages came down to 174 from more than 400 in the previous month.

It could be that authorities are now more vigilant to stop child marriage. Non-governmental organisations (NGOs) have also started social mobilisation against it.  

In the domestic violence category, some 4,000 experienced psychological torture. Around 2,771 women became victims of economic repression and 1,548 were physically abused. Some 200 women were sexually harassed.

Referring to July's data, MJF Executive Director Shaheen Anam said that the increase in child abuse in the workplace was alarming.

"However, a reduction in child marriage and domestic violence against women and girls is a positive sign," she said.

She called upon the government to pay special attention to the safety of children in addition to addressing other issues during emergencies.

MJF previously also analysed the situation of domestic and other forms of violence in April, May and June with the help of its partner NGOs.

MJF conducted the survey with the funding support of DFID, SIDA and Global Affairs Canada, to prevent domestic and other forms of violence against women and children.

This organisation and its partner NGOs provided: counseling, follow-up for delivery of services, communication support, plus medical and legal assistance to local leaders, children and women victims of violence.