Editorial
Violence against domestic help
Urgent need for deterrence and protection
An incident of extreme violence against an under-aged domestic worker in Chittagong has sparked many significant issues. Furthermore, what is yet more shocking is that the violence was carried out at the home of a sub-inspector of the Chittagong police force by his wife.
The domestic worker, a ten year old child claims to have been repeatedly tortured. She has received severe burn marks and has never been taken for any medical treatment by the sub-inspector and his wife.
It is safe to assume that sadly, this is not an isolated incident and that the number of such occurrences are significantly higher than the actual cases reported. In the present case the police appeared to shrug it off saying that it was out of their jurisdiction.
This extremely horrendous and appalling incident brings up a whole host of questions and thoughts. Laws exist in Bangladesh to ensure that under-age children cannot be employed. Yet, these laws are neither respected nor enforced. There is also a Department of Social Welfare which is clearly not establishing any ground rules for the treatment of domestic help, let alone of such young children.
It is highly unfortunate that victims of such crimes have nowhere to turn to for help if any government organizations or NGOs do not stand up for them.
It is high time for society to accept and respect the fact that domestic workers are treated humanely and abuse in any way, shape or form cannot be tolerated and must be punishable by law. Furthermore, we cannot have a system in which law enforcement officials are exempt from the law and complaints against them not registered.
We urge the authorities to ensure the protection of the under-privileged in such matters and hope that they do not recur.
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