Failing our future

Time and again, we as a people have failed to protect the most vulnerable group in our society: Our children -- the ones who will inherit this nation and take it forward, upon whose shoulders the very future of Bangladesh rests.

While sexual abuse in itself is one of the most heinous acts of crime an individual can perpetuate against another individual, sexual abuse of children is especially egregious and damaging in the long run.

According to Bangladesh Shishu Adhikar Forum, child rape saw an alarming increase in the first six months of this year. While the numbers themselves are nothing short of abhorrent, they do not fully reflect just how bleak the situation really is.

But there is a way out.

Spreading awareness at this juncture is a moot point -- what we really need is a zero tolerance approach when it comes to dealing with perpetrators of child sexual abuse.

While it is good to know that more and more people are reporting instances of child sexual abuse, as well as rape in general, the turnover in terms of apprehending and trying perpetrators and known suspects is woefully inadequate.

We need strong punitive actions against those who commit such crimes.

Before the masses can be educated, it is imperative that our law enforcement agencies clamp down on this most heinous form of abuse by apprehending offenders and throwing the book at them.

Given the severity of the situation, the only way we can discourage potential abusers is through stronger punitive actions.

We cannot keep failing our future any longer.