Human rights groups on Thursday condemned the recent surge in incidents of violence against children, including rape and murder, and blamed the lengthy judicial process and weak investigations as major obstacles to ensuring justice for victim children.

Rights body Ain o Salish Kendra in a statement said that recent incidents, especially the murder of a seven-year-old girl in Dhaka’s Pallabi, once again brought to the fore the extreme weakness of child protection system.

‘Despite existing laws and policies, in many cases, the lengthy judicial process and weak investigations are becoming major obstacles to children’s access to justice. As a result, the victim families suffer from deep grief and insecurity, and lose confidence in the justice delivery system,’ the statement read.

At least 118 children were raped, 46 victims to attempted rape, and 17 murdered after rape and attempted rape between January and May 20, said the statement.

The rights body stressed that every incident of child abuse and murder must be given the highest priority in judicial proceedings to ensure swift resolution in order to prevent such incidents.

‘Failing to ensure children’s safety, not only represents a legal failure but also raises questions about the moral and humane standing of the state, the statement added.

The Rape Law Reform Coalition in another statement condemned the recent violent incidents against children and demanded a swift, impartial and fair trial and prompt legal action.

The coalition also urged the authorities to take strict and effective measures and ensure justice for victims to prevent the recurrence of such violence, the statement read.