After realising her five-year-old child was raped by her neighbour in Bagerhat’s Brahmankathi area, a mother called the National Emergency Helpline-999 at March 3 noon.

The toll-free 24/7 National Helpline Centre for Violence Against Women & Children 109, was introduced in 2012 to receive complaints against various forms of women and children abuse and provide services accordingly.

The speed at which the National Emergency Helpline (999) responds to distress calls is much slower than that of developed countries due to an outdated operating system and manpower shortage.

Sitting at his desk with headphones on, helpline (999) operator Anik Sen heard the cry of a baby right after he pressed the receive button to attend a distress call.