One-stop crisis centre: Conviction in less than 2pc cases

The one-stop crisis centres are supposed to provide comprehensive support to women and children victims of violence, offering healthcare, police assistance, legal aid and other services.
But most of the victims, who take support from the centres, or their family members do not file cases. Even when cases are recorded, only a fraction ends in punishments for the accused.
The One-Stop Crisis Centre (OCC) was opened at Dhaka Medical College Hospital in 2001 and at 13 other medical college hospitals over the next 10 years.
According to data from these 14 facilities, 66,711 women and children took OCC support as of July 2024.
But only 20,914 cases were filed over the instances of violence. After trial proceedings, verdicts have been delivered in 2,392 of the cases and the accused were sentenced in 310, roughly 1.48 percent of the total.
Of the 66,711 women and children who took OCC support, 61 percent reported physical attack, 38 percent sexual assault, and 0.82 percent burn injuries.
In the first seven months of this year, 643 victims took support at the 14 OCCs. But only 227 cases were filed. No one has been convicted in any of the 12 verdicts delivered in these cases.
Women rights activist Khushi Kabir says, “Most victims do not file cases because the legal system is far from being women-friendly. Women have to face horrifying conditions at courts. It can take 8-10 years for a case to be resolved, which makes it almost impossible for the complainant to keep fighting,  bear the costs, and withstand the social pressures.”
OCC employees say the victims often do not seek legal remedy because they are threatened by the perpetrators. Sentencing is rare because of lack of witnesses, out-of-court settlements, and other complications.
According to Ain o Salish Kendra, 1,881 women and children reportedly faced violence in the first nine months of this year.
The OCCs are part of the Multi-Sectoral Programme on Violence Against Women which is implemented by the governments of Bangladesh and Denmark. The project period ended in June this year.
Currently, the Ministry of Women and Children Affairs funds the OCCs from its operational budget, says Project Director Prakash Kanti Chowdhury.
“The ministry is working on aligning the OCCs with a new project being reviewed by the planning ministry,” he adds.
At district- and upazila-level hospitals, 67 other OCCs operate.
These are linked to NGOs, civil society members, and local administration.
From 2012 to August this year, 137,152 individuals received OCC services. Of them, 16,813 were children and the rest were women, according to government data.
At the 14 OCCs at medical college hospitals, victims of physical assault are the majority. But at DMCH, and medical college hospitals in Cox’s Bazar and Pabna, the number of sexual assault victims are disproportionately high: 6,926; 1,816, and 412 respectively.
DMCH OCC lawyer Fahmida Akter says most sexual assault victims are sent there by the police for medical examinations.
Victims who go to the OCC by themselves are first assessed medically, then the OCC counsellors and police guide them through the process of filing cases.
However, many sexual assault victims initially wish to file cases, but backtrack on the decision later due to social pressure and threats by the perpetrators.
“The women beaten up by their husbands usually do not file cases. But those who avoid filing cases often return with more serious injuries,” Fahmida adds.
When witnesses consistently testify during trial, the proceeding can conclude within a couple of years. But it takes longer when witnesses are absent or unreachable, she adds.
Under the law concerned, cases should conclude within 180 days, but the deadline is rarely met, she says, adding sentencing in rape cases is rare because of lack of witnesses and out-of-court settlements.
“Penalties are more likely imposed in child rape cases, while cases involving adolescents are often settled privately by the families.”
Unless there is evidence of DNA, it is hard to prove a case in which the accused raped a woman by making promises of marriage.
Project Director Prakash says appointment of more lawyers and other steps are being taken to enhance the OCC support.
“A reform committee has been formed to analyse challenges, improve conviction rates, and expedite the trial procedures.”