SEXUAL ABUSE AND EXPLOITATION OF BOYS IN SOUTH ASIA A ...

4.4.7 Addressing exploitation in travel and tourism
Based on available evidence, Bangladesh has no programme activities that directly address
sexual exploitation of children in travel and tourism.
4.4.8 Responses to sexual abuse and exploitation
4.4.8.1 Children’s reporting of abuse
As elsewhere in South Asia, social and cultural factors significantly constrain children’s
reporting of abuse, and NGO reporting mechanisms are weak. Breaking the Silence, in its
awareness work in schools, receives reports of sexual abuse. If the abuse victim is not
severely traumatized, the situation is addressed by the NGO’s volunteers and paracounsellors.
Critical situations are referred to professional psychologists. However, the
organization lacks counsellors and social workers to provide sufficient follow-up with the
children and families, and its reporting mechanisms need expansion and strengthening.
BNWLA operates a child helpline with support from Grameen Phone. The organization also
provides legal counselling and mediation, arbitration and litigation services and rescues and
reintegrates victims of sexual exploitation. Other NGOs, including Ain O Salish Kendra and
INCIDIN, also provide legal assistance to child victims of sexual abuse and exploitation.
4.4.8.2 Safe shelter and crisis response
One-stop crisis centres at the Dhaka Medical College Hospital and the Rajshahi Medical
College Hospital provide immediate medical care, counselling, crime reporting and legal
advice to victims of sexual and physical violence. The centres engage doctors, counsellors,
police and lawyers for comprehensive, rapid response for women and children in crisis. The
centres are supported by the Ministry of Women and Children Affairs in cooperation with the
BNWLA and the NGO Naripokkho.
BNWLA launched the Integrated Rehabilitation and Resource Centre for Child Victims of
Sexual Abuse and Trafficking in 2001 with the support of Save the Children Sweden-
Denmark. Focused on both boys and girls, the centre provides 24-hour crisis response for
abuse victims and shelter-based rehabilitation activities, including psychosocial counselling,
legal aid, survival support, medical assistance and education. It also provides information and
training in rehabilitation and reintegration practices to government and NGOs and raises
awareness of child sexual abuse in the community.
Most shelters in Bangladesh serve girls and women, and considering the number of sexually
abused and exploited boys in Bangladesh, the country does not have a sufficient number of
shelters where boys can go for refuge or rehabilitation. At the same time, the night
shelter/drop-in facilities operated by INCIDIN and Aparajeyo in Dhaka city could be
considered models of good practice for South Asia, with well-trained staff, case management
systems and extensive child participation.
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