Rape Must Be Called "Rape," Not Just "Abuse" – Human Rights Organizations

Rape Must Be Called "Rape," Not Just "Abuse" – Human Rights Organizations

Several human rights and child protection organizations have strongly opposed the idea of replacing the term "rape" with "abuse" in official and media discourse. They emphasized that rape should be recognized for what it is, rather than being generalized under the broader category of "abuse" or "harassment."
During a joint press conference held at the Dhaka Reporters Unity on Sunday, representatives from organizations such as Save the Children, Plan International Bangladesh, Manusher Jonno Foundation, Ain o Salish Kendra, and Breaking the Silence voiced their concerns on this matter.
The discussion gained momentum following recent remarks made by Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Commissioner Sheikh Mohammad Sajjat Ali. He urged the media to use the terms “violence against women” or “harassment” instead of the word “rape.” His statement sparked widespread criticism from activists and legal experts.
At the press conference, experts highlighted that “rape” and “violence against women” are separate legal terms with distinct definitions. Mixing them up could lead to serious legal complications and weaken the justice system.
Shahine Anam, Executive Director of Manusher Jonno Foundation, stated, “If we only say 'assault' or 'abuse,' the severity of the crime is diminished. Rape is a grave offense, and it must be identified as such.”
Abdullah Al Mamun, Director of Child Protection and Child Rights Governance at Save the Children, added, “If crimes are generalized, enforcing the law properly will become increasingly difficult.”
Human rights activists strongly urge law enforcement agencies, the media, and policymakers to acknowledge the gravity of rape as a crime and use precise terminology when addressing the issue.
.