Guidance

Bangladesh: information for survivors of rape and sexual assault

Updated 1 November 2022

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This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/bangladesh-information-for-victims-of-rape-and-sexual-assault/bangladesh-information-for-survivors-of-rape-and-sexual-assault

If you’ve been sexually assaulted it’s important to remember that it was not your fault. Rape and sexual assault is always wrong – no matter who commits it or where it happens. It is traumatic and it can affect you both physically and emotionally. Do not be afraid to get help.

This information is provided to help British nationals overseas make informed decisions about whether and how to:

  • seek medical advice and attention
  • report to local police
  • engage with foreign legal authorities following a rape or other form of sexual assault overseas

For information on support available in the UK, see Rape and Sexual Assault: Returning to the UK.

1. First steps

It is your choice about what you do next, but this information may help you in coming to a decision. The most important thing is to make sure that you are as safe as you can be. You can:

We, the High Commission staff, will be empathetic, non-judgmental, and can provide information on local police and medical procedures. Anything you tell us will be treated in the strictest confidence. We can contact your family or friends for you if you wish.

2. If you want to report the incident to the police in Bangladesh

If you have a tour operator, they should be able to arrange for someone to support you. If you are in an area where there is a British embassy or consulate, they will try to send a consular officer to support you, where timing and location allow. You will always be able to speak to us on the telephone 24/7.

If you approach the police directly, you can also ask them to inform the British High Commission on +88 02 55668700 and we can offer you consular support.

You may want to ask a friend or relative to go to the police station with you – many people find it helps not to be alone.

If you choose to report the crime, try to do so as soon as possible, so forensic evidence can be retained. Washing yourself or your clothes may make it difficult for the police to obtain forensic evidence. If you change your clothes, think about taking those you were wearing to the police. You may wish to preserve evidence by retaining items such as condoms, toothbrushes, or texts.

Tell the police if you think you have been drugged.

Insist you get a police report, and request a translation in English if applicable.

When you file your report, there is no guarantee that a female officer will be available or that you will be given somewhere private to wait. Very few police officers speak English. An interpreter can be made available but you may have to wait for one to arrive.

The types of questions that will be asked may include: the identity of the assailant, a description, where and when the incident happened, what happened, the circumstances, and if there were any witnesses. If you would like to be represented by a lawyer, tell the police this when you give your statement.

You should not have to surrender your passport whilst an investigation is carried out, but the police may take a copy of it. If the passport is taken by the police as evidence, you can make an application to the court for its release.

You will not automatically be assigned a private lawyer by the state. A Public Prosecutor will be assigned, who will bring the case to court on behalf of the state. You should hire an independent lawyer should you wish to seek legal advice personally. See our list of local lawyers in Bangladesh.

3. If you do not want to report the incident to the police in Bangladesh

The British embassy or consulate will be able to help you. This includes helping you to contact your insurance company, your family, making arrangements to travel back to the UK and/or providing you with information on local support available in the UK. They can provide you with lists of English-speaking medical facilities, lawyers and translators.

If you are travelling with a tour operator, you may report the incident to them and ask for assistance. If you wish, the tour operator may accompany you to the local hospital. If you wish, and depending on location and timing, a member of consular staff may be able to accompany you.

It is your choice on whether to report the crime. If you don’t report it, your case may not be investigated. If you are in Bangladesh, it may be better to report the crime before you leave the country.

Even if you decide not to report what has happened to the police, we would strongly suggest you seek medical attention. A doctor can determine if your injuries need treatment and can also give you advice about pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases.

4. If you want to report the incident to the police in the UK

The support available to you, and your access to justice may vary according to where you report the crime. In many countries, you need to report the crime before you leave the country if you want it to be investigated and for the police to obtain important evidence.

If you are staying in the country where the crime took place, you should report the crime in that country. If you are a British national and you need help to report the crime, you can contact the nearest British embassy, high commission or consulate, or the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office in London.

If you do not report the crime in the country where it happened and you return to the UK, you can still report the matter to your local UK police.

The UK police should send the information you provide to the country where the crime happened. However, it is for foreign police forces to decide whether to investigate a crime in their jurisdiction and they may not take action.

You can report the crime to the UK police even if you are not seeking an investigation abroad. The UK police can offer you access to victim support in the UK. They may still send some details of the crime to police in the country where it happened. This might be necessary in order to protect vulnerable people, or to stop more crimes being committed.

5. Reporting the crime in Bangladesh: what happens next?

If you choose to report the crime, try to do so as soon as possible, so forensic evidence can be retained. Washing yourself or your clothes may make it difficult for the police to obtain forensic evidence.

If you change your clothes, think about taking those you were wearing to the police. You may wish to preserve evidence by retaining items such as condoms, toothbrushes, or texts and social media messages.

Tell the police if you think you have been drugged.

Insist you get a police report, and request a translation in English if applicable.

The police will usually take you to a government hospital for a forensic examination.

The police or hospital may keep any clothes worn during the attack as evidence. If possible, it is advisable to carry a change of clothes when you go to the police station or hospital.

5.1 Medical examination: what to expect

Not all hospitals in Bangladesh are equipped or recognised as being able to treat survivors of rape and sexual assault. Some of the Government Medical College Hospitals in the urban areas have One Stop Crisis Centre (OCC) who provide healthcare, Police assistance, psychological counselling, and shelter services, etc.

Please note that the purpose of the medical examination is to collect evidence, not as a medical check or to test for STDs or HIV.

The examination may involve a pelvic exam, vaginal/penile/anal swabs, fingernail scrapings, and blood samples. These samples will be used as forensic evidence. If the police have a suspect, they may also order them to be examined.

The police may also take pictures of places on your body where there is evidence of violence such as bruises or cuts, and they may keep some of your clothing as evidence.

5.2 Treatment

Medical staff at the hospital and private physicians will be able to give advice on HIV PEP medication (‘Post-Exposure Prophylaxis’, a treatment that can prevent HIV infection). However, English is not widely spoken in government hospitals. The British High Commission will assist where possible.

HIV PEP medication needs to be taken within 72 hours of the incident for it to be effective. The NHS may be able to commence or continue the 28-day treatment if you decide to return to the UK.

More information on PEPs is available on the NHS website. If you have problems locating PEPs where you are, we can help you contact the local authority to find out if/where they are available.

Emergency contraception needs to be taken within 72 hours of the incident for it to be effective. This is available over the counter at pharmacies as well as from the medical professional conducting the health check.

Treatment in Government hospitals are mostly free of charge, however they are mostly overcrowded and do not always uphold patient’s privacy or confidentiality. The conditions are somewhat better in private hospitals, however, you or your insurer will need to pay for all medical treatments, consultations etc.

If you have had medication administered in Bangladesh, you may wish to keep the label or make a note of the name of the medication, so that you can let your local health provider know when you return to the UK. Ask for a medical report in English if possible.

6. Police investigations in Bangladesh: what to expect

The police may take you to the scene of the crime, or where you think the attacker is located to try to identify and arrest the person. If a suspect is brought to the police station you might be asked to identify them.

Alternatively, the Court may also carry out a TIP (Test Identification Parade) which is a process in which the alleged offender would be brought before you for identification.

Once police have arrested and detained someone they have up to 120 days to do an initial investigation, to collect evidence and to submit formal charges to the public prosecutor. However, this period can be extended by the judge if more time is requested by the defence or prosecution.

Depending on the complexity of the case sometimes you may be encouraged to stay in Bangladesh whilst the investigation is in process. However, once you have completed the police report and your statement has been taken, in most cases you can request to be kept updated whilst you return to the UK.

If authorities allow you to leave Bangladesh we would strongly suggest you engage the services of a local English speaking lawyer who will be able to keep you updated with how the case progresses.

7. Court procedures: what to expect

Court cases in Bangladesh can take months or even years to begin and conclude. The court will not automatically update the British High Commission on the case’s progress. The High Commission can make enquiries and seek updates from the court on your behalf, but the court is under no obligation to provide the High Commission with information.

A lawyer will be best placed to obtain updates. You would need to give your consent for your lawyer to communicate/update the British High Commission.

There is no fixed timescale for the court process. Speedy Trial Act has been instituted to ensure a fast track trial process for crimes such as rape, however, the length of time court proceedings depends on a wide range of factors and could sometimes take several years.

The maximum sentence for rape charges in Bangladesh is death penalty, however, the nature of sentencing will depend on various factors and can also include jail time, financial penalty. Your lawyer will be able to advice you.

Media may have access to the details of your incident, including your court case, and some personal information. Reporting standards in Bangladesh are different, which can lead to publishing of news articles in the Bangladesh press and it may not always be possible to have these removed or amended. You might find this distressing and the High Commission can provide further support and advice on handling the media should this become an issue.

7.1 Trial procedures

Once police have arrested and detained someone, they have up to 120 days to do an initial investigation, to collect evidence and to submit formal charges to the public prosecutor. However, this period can be extended by the judge if more time is requested by the defence or prosecution. Recording of charges, evidence and judgement may be in English or the language of the Court which in most trial courts is Bangla. You don’t need to be present at every court session; however you may be asked to be present in person when your statement is recorded by the court. The court will not pay for travel or accommodation if you have to testify in person.

A Public Prosecutor will conduct the case on behalf of the state, but you can appoint a private lawyer present in court who can advise you and be present in Court. If the Court permits, your lawyer can assist the Public Prosecutor in your case.

7.2 Sentencing

Sentences are weighted in favour of punishment. If found guilty, the alleged perpetrator could be handed death penalty, custodial sentence and a fine.

If the alleged perpetrator is found not guilty, the Court can announce a Judgement and Order of ‘acquittal’ and they will generally be released.

You can challenge the judgement by lodging an appeal before the High Court Division of Bangladesh Supreme Court within 60 days from the date of the judgement.

7.3 Compensation

The court can order the offender to pay compensation for any injuries or losses, if they are convicted.

There is no state funded compensation scheme to cover physical and psychological injuries suffered as a result of a sexual or violent crime.

8. When you return home to the UK

You may want to let your GP or a Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC) know what has happened to you so that you can talk about the experience and seek further support and advice where you live.

If you believe you may be at risk of having contracted a sexually transmitted infection (STI), you should ask your local health provider to test you. You should do this even if you have been tested in the country that the assault took place in.

9. Disclaimer

This information has been prepared by HMG officials who are not legally or medically trained. It should therefore never be used as a substitute for professional medical or legal advice. It is intended to help British nationals overseas make their own informed decisions. Neither HMG nor any official of the Consulate accept liability for any loss or damage which you might suffer as a result of relying on the information supplied.

Medical information has been provided by The Havens Sexual Assault Referral Centres of Kings College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and was accurate at the time of production.

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