41,555 DNA profiles completed in sexual violence cases, minister tells parliament

Women and Children Affairs Minister Abu Zafar Md Zahid Hossain today (15 June) told the parliament a total of 41,555 DNA samples from women and children subjected to sexual violence have been profiled through the National Forensic DNA Profiling Laboratory at Dhaka Medical College and seven divisional DNA screening laboratories.

He disclosed the information in response to a written question from reserved-seat lawmaker Selima Rahman, who sought details on government measures to prevent child rape and abuse.

The minister said the Women and Children Repression Prevention Act, 2026, passed during the first session of parliament, would govern the trial of child rape and abuse cases.

Under the law, DNA testing has been made mandatory in relevant cases regardless of whether the accused or the survivor consents, he said.

Zahid Hossain also said amendments introduced in 2025 had accelerated the investigation and trial process in rape cases. The revised provisions require cases to be disposed of within a specified timeframe after charges are framed.

Highlighting broader efforts to protect women and children, the minister said the government has adopted a range of laws, policies, regulations and action plans aimed at preventing violence and strengthening support services for survivors.

As part of those initiatives, the government plans to establish 37 One-Stop Crisis Centres (OCCs) at public medical college hospitals in phases.

Currently, 14 OCCs are providing medical treatment, legal assistance, police support, psychosocial counselling, rehabilitation, social reintegration and income-generating training to survivors.

So far, 82,678 women and children have received services through these centres.

The minister said another 1,70,523 survivors of violence have received assistance through 95 One-Stop Crisis Cells operating at district hospitals and upazila health complexes across the country.

He added that the National Helpline Centre 109, a toll-free 24-hour service for preventing violence against women and children, has so far provided various forms of assistance to more than 88.4 lakh survivors.

On mental health support, Zahid Hossain said services are being provided through the National Trauma Counselling Centre in Dhaka and 37 regional trauma counselling centres.

To date, the national centre and eight regional centres have provided psychosocial counselling services to 38,061 women and children.

The counselling centres also assist survivors and their families by providing information, legal advice, access to police and counselling services, rescue support, child marriage prevention and other necessary assistance, he said.

The minister further informed parliament that committees have been formed at the national, district, upazila and union levels to prevent child marriage. Through the government’s helpline services, authorities have so far prevented 18,824 child marriages.

He also said work is underway to enact the Sexual Harassment Prevention Act, 2026, which aims to strengthen protection against sexual harassment in workplaces and educational institutions while ensuring equal opportunities and rights for all citizens regardless of religion, ethnicity, gender or place of birth.

In addition, the government is drafting the Domestic Violence Prevention Act, 2026, which would replace the Domestic Violence (Prevention and Protection) Act, 2010 and strengthen legal protections, prevention mechanisms and judicial processes related to domestic violence.