Staff Correspondent

The incidents of rape and violence against women this year were more than previous years despite the Covid-19 pandemic, rights body Ain O Salish Kendra said yesterday.

It mentioned that incidents of gang rape, murder after rape, sexual harassment and domestic violence have occurred on a regular basis.

At least 1,627 women were raped or gang raped across the country, of whom 53 were killed after rape and 14 died by suicide. The number of rape victims was 1,413 in 2019 and 732 in 2018, ASK mentioned in its annual report.

The report, made based on different media reports, was released at a virtual programme yesterday.

ASK said the actual number of rape victims is much higher as many do not report abuse.

FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION

The freedom of expression has curtailed and repression increased during the pandemic, Ask said in its report.

The number of cases under the Digital Security Act for harassment and subsequent arrest has been increased. At least 129 cases were filed under DSA in 2020 where 268 people were made accused, it added.