The many steps toward justice

ON the day of 23rd of May 2016, when most people were returning to their work stations after a long weekend, obscured from this frenzied rush is Iqbal (pseudonym), who works as a driver in Dhaka, cries helplessly on hearing that Molly (pseudonym) his 8 years old daughter, has been brutally raped in their home in Madaripur. The perpetrator, Shamol (pseudonym), is approximately 18 years old. Iqbal hastily left Dhaka for Madaripur as soon as he heard the news.

Molly was brave enough to tell her mother about the rape; she was quickly rushed to Shivchor Shastho Complex. However, as this facility was ill equipped, Molly's family were advised by the emergency team to go to Madaripur Sadar Hospital and arranged for their travel.

With an extensive network of countrywide Legal Aid Clinics across Bangladesh and a dedicated field team to report on incidences of violence, as and when they occur, BRAC Human Rights and Legal Aid Services (HRLS) programme's Divisional based Staff Lawyer, promptly contacted the family on learning of this incident. He then immediately directed district, upazila, and legal aid clinic staff, to follow up on the details of this incident.

The first BRAC HRLS staff member to report to Shivchor Shastho Complex was A. Kumar, the Field Organiser, who is responsible for supervision of the local BRAC legal aid clinic. There, he was informed by on duty emergency staff that Molly had been transferred to Madaripur Sadar Hospital.

Later that night, Kumar contacted A.Rahman, Staff Lawyer in Madaripur and gave him the address of the Sadar Hospital. Kumar also contacted the Officer in Charge of Shivchor Police Station. At the time, Iqbal was still on route to Madaripur.

At Madaripur, A. Rahman and S. Zaman, Senior Upazila Manager, visited Molly and her weary family in hospital around midnight. They spoke to the Residential Medical Officer there, who referred Molly to a gynaecologist. The gynaecologist there was able to give primary care to stabilize Molly. But the doctor advised that Molly would need immediate surgery which was not possible at the present hospital. It was then decided that Molly would be taken to Faridpur for the surgery. The following morning, Madaripur HRLS staff notified B. Biswas, Senior Upazila Manager, in Faridpur of Molly's transfer and arranged for an ambulance for Molly and her family.

On the 24th of May, Molly arrived at Faridpur Sadar Hospital, B. Biswas liaised with the medical team thereand Molly was taken for surgery.

Simultaneously, in the early hours of the 24th of May, A. Kumar conducted a fact-finding investigation at Molly's residence. He later accompanied Iqbal and Molly's uncle to Shivchor police station, to assist them to file a case. In spite of Shamol's arrest on 23rdMay, the police, coupled with pressure from local influential community members, were initially reluctant to record the case, but later,they complied and filed it under the Nari O ShishuNirjatonDomonAin of 2003. Kumar remained at the station until the afternoon to collect copies of important case documents.

Four days later, on May 29th, Iqbal filed a complaint at the HRLS Shivchor legal aid clinic. Here, A. Kumar provided legal counselling services to him and assured BRAC's full support to bring the perpetrator to justice.Molly gave a formal statement about the rape in court on1st June. The first bail hearing in this case wason 23rd June 2016. BRAC HRLS staff along with representatives from Madaripur Legal Aid Association (MLAA), were present in court on that day. Bail was not granted and Shamol was taken back in remand. 

BRAC HRLS additionally requested Madaripur Legal Aid to provide psychologicalcounselling services to Molly to rebuild her confidence and help her and herfamily deal with this traumatic ordeal.

The speed and efficiency with which HRLS staff extended their unyielding support and service delivery in this case, is noteworthy. This vast network of staff is a trademark of BRAC and is unlike any other organization in Bangladesh. Such a network of persons is necessary to ensure timely delivery of services (both medical and legal) and in the present case, these concerted efforts helped save Molly's life. Molly and her family have a long road ahead of them, but HRLS will be working to ensure full support to them during these trying times and will closely follow the progress of the case filed in court.

BRAC HRLS is dedicated to protecting and promoting human rights of the poor and marginalized through legal empowerment. HRLS operates over 400 legal aid clinics across Bangladesh and is the largest NGO-led legal aid programme in the world. HRLS is in its 30th year of operationsand its workis premised on a rights-based approach to human development.As of April 2016, HRLS provided legal support to 2,209 victims/survivors of rape.

The writer is the Team Leader Communications, BRAC Human Rights and Legal Aid Services (HRLS) Programme.