Kathmandu, September 13

A situation analysis report of the fiscal 2017-18 released by the Central Child Welfare Board today paints a harrowing picture of how children have been subjected to rape and molestation.

According to CCWB under the Ministry of Women, Children and Senior Citizens, the situation analysis was conducted on the basis of the news related to children published in various media during the last fiscal. As many as 243 children fell victim to molestation and rape in 2017-18 compared to 96 the previous fiscal, an increase by 147 per cent.

“As many as 236 minor girls were raped while seven boys fell victim to molestation. Of the girls, 24 were gang raped,” the report mentioned.

The youngest girl, who was raped by her father, was eight-month-old. The age group of 11 to 18 years constitutes the largest number of rape victims with 177 (75 per cent) followed by six to 10 years with 48 (20 per cent) and below five years of age with 11 (five person). The incidents were reported in 46 districts, according to the report.

“At least 93 girls were raped by acquaintances, 67 by neighbours, 30 by fathers or members of the same family, 16 by teachers, 15 by army/police/civil employees and 15 by masters,” the report said.

According to Nepal Police, 1,480 cases of rape and 727 rape attempts, were recorded throughout the country in the fiscal 2017-18 against 1,131 in the fiscal 2016-17.

Most of the victims of rape and rape attempt are minors between the ages of five and 16 years.

A recent report by the National Himan Right Commission shows that security personnel were involved in reconciling the victims with perpetrators in some cases against the law. Most of the recorded incidents of rape and attempted rape have been perpetrated by acquaintances, members of the same family and close relatives, while other persons are involved in gang rapes.

According to NHRC, the failure of Nepal Police to bring to book the perpetrators by conducting prompt and effective criminal investigation further poses a threat to the life of the victim and gives rise to impunity.

Various complaints received by the national human rights body state that rape victims have also been deprived of legal aid, medical treatment and protection.

Senior Superintendent of Police Shailesh Thapa Keshetri, Nepal Police spokesperson, attributed the rise in reported rape cases to increased public awareness against the crime and improved reporting, and said that the security agency was committed to bringing to book the perpetrators.