The child’s mother filed a case with Magura Sadar Police Station on Saturday under the Women and Children Repression Prevention Act in connection with the sexual harassment and assault.

Tito Molla, 30, of the same village was accused of physically abusing the 12-year-old.

Also read:Bangladesh introduces death penalty for rape

The rape survivor’s brother said her sister had gone out to collect fallen leaves from a nearby garden on Friday. “This is when Tito ‘sexually assaulted’ her.”

Joynal Abedin, officer-in-charge of Magura Sadar Police Station, said: “The intellectually challenged victim’s brother called the national emergency helpline 999 as the locals did not pay heed to their accusation.”

“However, if the child experienced an ‘attempted or completed rape’ could not be confirmed immediately. She is undergoing medical tests now. And the suspect is still on the run.” 

Also read:Rape incidents continue amid widespread protests

Differently-abled children face a higher risk of sexual abuse because they cannot often express themselves clearly and have to depend on others for their safety.

However, intellectually challenged children are more abused than other differently-abled children “because they do not understand what is a good touch and what is a bad one.”

626 children sexually abused in Bangladesh last year

Also read:DU student rape: Evidence of rape found, say physicians

At least 626 children were “sexually abused” during January-December last year despite the closure of educational institutions and the absence of public gatherings amid the pandemic.

And at least 145 children died from rape, attempted rape, murder, abduction, disappearance and torture.

Manusher Jonno Foundation (MJF) came up with the findings on Saturday at the online press conference “Bangladesh Child Situation 2020.”

Also read:Why rape horrors continue unabated in India

The non-governmental organisation also found that children in Bangladesh were not safe even at home, as most rapes were perpetrated by acquaintances within the family and neighbours.

Also, at least 145 children faced murder attempts in 2020 because of family disputes, wrangles over properties, rejection of romantic proposals, protesting injustice, rape and much more.

Also read:Much-talked-about changes to rape law passed in parliament