Photo: Messenger
Cases of rape involving individuals who connect through Facebook and other social media platforms are on the rise. Predominantly, these incidents occur within the context of deceptive relationships formed with the intention to ensnare victims. Essentially, social media is evolving into a perilous trap where individuals use false information to attract women, leading to the loss of their dignity. Victims find themselves victimised not only by their families and society but also face challenges when seeking legal recourse. Numerous perpetrators are being apprehended as victims take legal action against them.
Nazmul Islam, Deputy Police Commissioner of DMP's Cyber Crime Unit of Counter Terrorism, highlighted that these incidents are occurring across various social media platforms, including Facebook. Emphasising the importance of caution, he mentioned that individuals employing deceptive tactics on Facebook can entice many people, making it crucial to exercise discernment. He underscored the need to be selective and cautioned against acting impulsively, as emotional decisions could lead to potential dangers.
In response to a question, he said that cyber crime teams of different police units have already arrested various types of fraudsters.
“If in doubt about anything, you can call the nearest police station or police hotline numbers to get assistance. If we all are a little aware, we can avoid such untoward incidents.”
According to the data from the Ain O Salish Kendra (ASK), incidents of rape and gang rape numbered 732 in 2018, increased to 1,413 in 2019, further rose to 1,627 in 2020, declined to 1,321 in 2021, and reached 936 in 2022. As of October 2023, 583 cases have been reported.
An analysis of the data indicates an annual average of 1,260 reported rape incidents over the past few years. Moreover, in the initial seven months of the current year, nearly half of the cases filed against women and children in the country were related to rape.
Benazir from Narail targeted solitary women by fabricating a fake pilot profile on Facebook. Initially, he allured them with love, followed by enticing them into marriage and the promise of relocating the family to America. This deceptive scheme enabled him to defraud women and accumulate a substantial amount of money over the years. Eventually, he was apprehended following a complaint filed by one of his victims.
In another distressing incident, a school-going girl, entangled in a Facebook friendship, went to meet her supposed boyfriend in Raujan, Chattogram. Shockingly, upon arrival, she discovered that her lover was a 55-year-old individual. The young woman had been deceived and trapped in a relationship for an extended period. The perpetrator, subjected the girl to about one and a half months of brutal torture. Fortunately, with the intervention of her family and the police, the girl was rescued, and the 55-year-old fraudster-rapist, Nasir Uddin, was subsequently arrested.
A similar incident unfolded in Rajbari, where a school student engaged with an individual on Facebook under the pseudonym Saikat. Communicating through the provided identity, their interactions extended to phone conversations. Unfortunately, as their relationship deepened, a setback occurred during a planned meeting, leading to distress. Exploiting the situation, the individual took the girl to one of their residences and subjected her to days of sexual assault.
Eventually, the girl reached out to her family, and with their assistance, she was rescued from the harrowing situation. Subsequently, the police arrested the perpetrator, Saikat, responsible for the heinous crime.
It has been observed that friend requests from unfamiliar accounts on Facebook often lead to introductions. Subsequent online conversations gradually escalate, and the invitation to meet in person becomes more persistent. Unfortunately, accepting such invitations may result in falling into the deceptive trap laid by fraudsters. This perilous scenario has led to the abduction of numerous young women by these criminals, followed by a chain of devastating events including arrests, sexual assaults, persecutions, and even involvement in the sex trade.
In contemporary times, a concerning trend has emerged where a certain faction of individuals exploits social media platforms to subject women to sexual harassment and rape under the guise of friendship or romantic relationships.
Abdul Awal Nayan Khan, the president of Human Rights Voice and Humanity, an organisation dedicated to human rights, emphasised that despite the implementation of the death penalty as a consequence of the nationwide anti-rape movement, violence against women continues to persist. He stressed the urgency of expediting trials without consideration for the political, economic, or social standing of the perpetrators to effectively address and combat this ongoing issue.
Professor Dr Sanjeeda Akhtar, the chairperson of the Women and Gender Studies Department at Dhaka University, asserts that violence against women is a disturbing manifestation of the exercise of power within the patriarchal system and mindset. She advocates for a gradual transformation of such mentalities. Additionally, Dr Akhtar highlights the substantial influence exerted by political and economic power structures in contributing to instances of women's abuse, violence, or rape. Addressing these systemic issues is crucial for creating lasting change and fostering a safer environment for women.
Messenger/Sun Yath
