'Rape' should be called 'rape', NGOs say in response to DMP chief's statement
DMP Commissioner Sheikh Md Sazzat Ali yesterday urged the media to avoid using the term “rape”
Several non-governmental organisations today (16 March) protested Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Commissioner Sheikh Md Sazzat Ali's request to the media to use other words instead of the word "rape".
The DMP commissioner yesterday (15 March) urged the media to refrain from using the word "rape" in their reports, suggesting alternatives like "violence against women" or "repression of women".
In a joint press briefing at Dhaka Reporters Unity this afternoon, officials of Save the Children, Plan International Bangladesh, Manusher Jonno Foundation, Ain O Salish Kendra and Breaking the Silence said "rape" should be called "rape".
Shaheen Anam, executive director of the Manusher Jonno Foundation, said, "Yesterday, it was said it is better not to say rape because the word is unpleasant, but the act itself is unpleasant. We were very surprised to hear this. 'Repression of women', 'oppression', or 'assault' – no matter what you say, sexual violence and collective oppression do not reflect on these words.
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"If we do not say rape, the issues of sexual assault and sexual harassment get diluted. We cannot accept this [DMP commissioner's request], we do not want the word to be excluded."
Abdulla Al Mamun, director of Child Protection and Child Rights Governance at Save the Children International, said, "Violence against women is a big umbrella term and rape is one of the most heinous crimes. If all crimes are generalised, the implementation of the law will not be proper.
"Rape and violence against women are interrelated. Rape should be called rape."
