Key Takeaways:

• Girls aged 10–18 accounted for 60.9 percent of recorded victims
• Police recorded 64 sexual violence cases in Bajura over five years
• Awareness posters distributed to schools and local governments
• Campaign aims to promote reporting and support for survivors

BAJURA, OCTOBER 8 Police in Bajura have launched a school-focused poster campaign against sexual violence after an analysis of cases registered in the district found that girls aged 10–18 accounted for 60.9 percent of recorded victims over the past five years. According to the District Police Office, Bajura, 64 incidents of sexual violence were recorded during the period, involving 64 victims and 72 accused persons. Deputy Superintendent of Police Shaileshwori Bohara said the campaign was introduced as part of a problem-solving approach aimed at preventing sexual violence and increasing awareness about reporting mechanisms and support services. Police have distributed awareness posters to the heads of all nine local governments and have begun providing them to school principals, starting with schools in Khaptad Chhededaha Rural Municipality. According to police data, the highest number of sexual violence cases were recorded in Budhinanda, Budhiganga and Badimalika municipalities, while the lowest numbers were reported in Swamikartik Khapar, Triveni and Gaumul. Of the recorded victims, 60.9 percent were girls aged between 10 and 18 years, while 37.5 percent were women aged 19 to 59. Senior citizens aged 60 and above accounted for 1.6 percent of victims. Police identified alcohol consumption, involvement of acquaintances, economic vulnerability among adolescent girls, financial inducements, fear and intimidation as factors associated with reported cases. Officials also said delays in reporting were common when victims or family members were threatened or pressured not to file complaints. Bohara said the campaign was focused on schools because school-going girls were disproportionately affected. 'The campaign aims to promote a zero-tolerance culture against sexual violence, help victims access justice and encourage people to speak out against violence,' she said. The posters explain what constitutes sexual violence, ways to reduce risk, how and where to report incidents, how communities can support survivors and the role citizens can play in helping bring perpetrators to justice. Chief District Officer Dorendra Niraula said many incidents still go unreported and stressed the importance of filing formal complaints with police. Khaptad Chhededaha Rural Municipality Chair Dil Bahadur Rawat said preventing sexual violence was a shared responsibility and called for awareness activities to be expanded beyond schools into wards and communities. Police said they are increasingly focusing on prevention through risk identification, awareness campaigns, information sharing and community engagement rather than relying solely on legal action after incidents occur. Lal Bahadur Shahi, principal of Debasthali Secondary School in Matesangu, said the initiative could play an important role in preventing gender-based and sexual violence and pledged support for future awareness activities.