Bangladesh needs legal reforms to deter the commercial sexual exploitation of
children (including prostitution, trafficking for sexual purposes, child pornography
and child marriages). According to a new report released this week by ECPAT
International and Plan International, laws and procedures to protect children in
Bangladesh are weak and inconsistent. As a result, child survivors of commercial
sexual exploitation can generally expect poor treatment within the judicial system
while their exploiters avoid prosecution and punishment.

The Report on "Laws and Legal Procedures Concerning the Commercial Sexual
Exploitation of Children in Bangladesh" investigates Bangladesh's legal response to
the commercial sexual exploitation of children. According to the report, people who
sexually exploit children in Bangladesh can do so with impunity. They run little
risk of serious punishment because charges may not be filed or are filed under
statutes with minimal penalties rather than the harsher penalties applicable under
some existing laws. Children hesitate to report sexual violence because they fear
social stigmatisation and the trauma associated with distressing investigative
procedures and legal proceedings.

The report urges law and policy-makers to further the Government's reform efforts by
improving laws and legal procedures for prosecuting perpetrators of sexual crimes
against children and for better protecting children against commercial sexual
exploitation. It recommends that Bangladeshi lawyers, judicial officers, social
service providers and law enforcement officials receive specialised training on laws
and legal procedures to ensure that child survivors of commercial sexual
exploitation receive the protection, care and rehabilitation to which they are
entitled.

All concerned parties in Bangladesh are called on to redress the absence of laws
regarding the recovery and rehabilitation of child survivors of commercial sexual
exploitation. They recommend a system be developed to monitor cases to ensure
children are treated in accordance with norms established under international
guidelines. [Source: CRIN]

For more information, contact:
Deborah Muir, Communications Associate
ECPAT International
328 Phaya Thai Road, Bangkok 10400, Thailand
Tel: + 66 2 215 3388
Email: deborahm@ecpat.net
Website: www.ecpat.net