Key Takeaways:

• 70 domestic violence cases out of 144 women-and-children cases in 3 years
• Rape second-largest category with 27 cases; gender-based violence rising
• Five-year data show 42 of 64 sexual offences occurred in homes
• Police cite underreporting, delayed complaints and social pressure as barriers

BAJURA, AUGUST 11 Domestic violence accounted for nearly half of all cases involving women and children registered by police in Bajura over the past three fiscal years, highlighting the risks faced by victims within their own homes and communities. According to District Police Office data, 144 cases related to women and children were registered during the period, including 70 cases of domestic violence. Police recorded 29 such cases in 2023/24, 23 in 2024/25 and 18 in 2025/26. Rape was the second-largest category, with 27 cases registered over the three years. Ten cases were recorded in each of the first two fiscal years, followed by seven in 2025/26. Police also recorded 18 cases of polygamy, 17 of gender-based violence, eight attempted rape cases, two abortion-related cases, one child marriage case and one case involving abduction, hostage-taking and rape. While cases of rape, attempted rape, child marriage and polygamy declined, complaints of gender-based violence increased in the latest fiscal year. Police received 10 such complaints in 2025/26, compared with seven during the previous two fiscal years combined. Homes remain a major risk Five-year police data on sexual offences show continued vulnerability among women and children, particularly adolescent girls. Police recorded 64 sexual-offence cases involving 64 victims during the period. Of those cases, 42 occurred in residential or domestic settings, while 11 took place in forests or bushes. Five occurred in institutional or professional settings, four in public places and one in a vehicle. Nanda Thapa, deputy mayor of Badimalika Municipality, said the figures showed that women and children could not be considered completely safe even in their homes or familiar surroundings. Police records show that 20 victims were lured or deceived, while 16 were subjected to threats. In 21 cases, the method used was not established.

DSP Shaileshwori Bohara, chief of the District Police Office, Bajura, said alcohol consumption, financial inducements, fear and threats were among factors associated with such offences. She said girls aged 10 to below 18 in rural areas were particularly vulnerable to sexual violence. Adolescents from economically and socially disadvantaged families, women whose husbands are abroad for employment and single women were also vulnerable to different forms of violence, she said. Of the 64 sexual-offence victims, 40 had school-level education, 18 were literate, three had certificate-level education and one was illiterate. Among the accused, 37 had school-level education, 17 were literate, three had certificate-level education and two had bachelor's-level or higher education. The data also show that 55 victims were unmarried and nine were married. Underreporting remains a concern Bohara said delayed reporting, failure to report and a lack of complaints altogether remained major obstacles to controlling such offences. Delayed complaints can result in the loss of evidence and make investigation and prosecution more difficult, she said. Limited arrangements for victim rehabilitation were another concern. Social pressure, concerns over family honour and fear of further consequences often prevent victims, particularly in remote and rural areas, from reporting incidents, according to Bohara. The District Police Office said it has been conducting programmes focused on preventing crimes against women, children and senior citizens, reducing sexual violence and suicides, investigating serious crimes and controlling drug-related offences. The police data point to the need for continued awareness programmes in schools, families and communities, alongside timely reporting mechanisms, victim-friendly investigations and stronger rehabilitation support for survivors.