Sexual Harassment

Formulate policy to protect children

Says NGO members

25 August 2011, 18:00 PM

Staff Correspondent

Members of a non-government organisation (NGO) yesterday demanded formulation of a policy to protect children from sexual harassment at schools, orphanages and shelter homes. Speaking at a press conference, they said the policy should include the measures to be taken by the respective institution's authorities and provisions for a probe committee and an investigation period, should any such incident occur. The NGO, Incidin Bangladesh, organised the press conference at Dhaka Reporters Unity in the city. There has been a recent surge of incidents of sexual abuse and harassment of children, said Incidin Bangladesh Advocacy Chief Nasimul Hasan. A survey carried out by Ain O Salish Kendra reports that 294 incidents of sexual harassment occurred in schools around the country in the first six months of 2011, he said. “The policy should state how to behave towards children,” he said, adding that children should be educated on what sexual harassment is and what to do in such situations. The institutions should appoint an ombudsman, said AKM Mustaque Ali, executive director of Incidin Bangladesh. “The person should be someone that children will be able to trust and come to if they fall victim to sexual harassment,” he said.