Guidance

Bangladesh: information for victims of rape and sexual assault

Updated 28 May 2025

If you바카라 사이트™ve been sexually assaulted it바카라 사이트™s important to remember that it was not your fault. Rape and sexual assault is always wrong 바카라 사이트“ 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 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.

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:

• contact the Bangladesh National Emergency Helpline on 999
• contact your tour operator if you are travelling with one
• contact the British High Commission Dhaka at +88 (02) 55668700

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

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

Before you go to the police station

The British High Commission cannot report a crime on your behalf, but we can speak to the police, once you have reported the crime, to register an interest in the case and to follow up on the case.

You can approach the police directly either by calling their emergency number 999 or in person at the nearest police station.

If you have a tour operator, they should be able to arrange for someone to support you. You can also ask a friend or relative to accompany you to the police station - many people find it helps not to be alone. If possible, take someone with you who speaks Bangla.

The High Commission will try to send a consular officer to support you, where timing and location allow. If you are far and we cannot get to you quickly enough, with your consent we will try to liaise with the local police via telephone. You will always be able to speak to trained consular staff 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 they can offer you consular support.

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, take those you were wearing to the police. You may wish to preserve evidence by retaining items such as condoms, toothbrushes, or texts.

At the police station

• tell the police if you think you have been drugged
• ask for a police report, and request a translation in English if applicable

The police in Bangladesh do not generally have the same approach to rape and sexual assault cases as in the UK. They are unlikely to have specialised training on treating victims sensitively and their questioning may therefore feel intrusive or judgemental. Whilst homosexuality is illegal in Bangladesh, anyone who sexually assaults a man or a woman can face criminal charges.

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 .

After making a statement

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.

Anyone who is arrested must be taken before a magistrate within 24 hours of the arrest. According to the Women and Children Repression Prevention Act, the investigation period for rape cases is 15 days and the time for completing the trial is 90 days. 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  who will be able to keep you updated with how the case progresses.

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 and/or your family
• accompanying you to the local hospital/medical facility, where possible
• providing you with lists of English-speaking medical facilities, and
• helping you with arrangements to travel back to the UK
• providing you with information on local support in the UK

You can also report the incident to your tour operator, if you바카라 사이트™re travelling with one. They may be able to help you, including accompanying you to the local hospital.

It is your choice on whether to report the crime.  If you don바카라 사이트™t report it, your case may not be investigated.

Even if you do not report the crime, you can still receive medical attention. However, private hospitals may refuse to treat you and refer you to a government hospital.

The medical examination: what to expect

Where to go

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

Examination

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 hospital will share the report with the police.

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.

Consular staff can accompany you to the hospital should you so wish us to do so and where possible. Tour operators may accompany you or any other person of your choice. You can also ask a friend or relative.

Treatment

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

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 when you return to the UK.

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 바카라 사이트 hospitals are mostly free of charge; however, they are mostly overcrowded and do not always uphold patient바카라 사이트™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 abroad, you should keep the label or make a note of the name of the medication. You can then give it to your local health provider when you return home.

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

The support available to you, and your access to justice may depend on 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 police to obtain important evidence.

If you are staying in Bangladesh and the crime took place there, you should report the crime there. 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 Bangladesh 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 Bangladesh.  However, foreign police forces 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 Bangladesh. This might be necessary in order to protect vulnerable people, or to stop more crimes being committed.

Court procedures in Bangladesh: 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 case바카라 사이트™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.

Taking your case to trial

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.

Trial procedures

Recording of charges, evidence and judgement may be in English or the language of the Court which in most trial courts is Bangla. You don바카라 사이트™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.

The courts have limited resources, and it can often take several years for a trial to conclude. If you or your lawyer are not actively pursuing the case, court procedures are likely to be slower and the case may not progress at all.

Hiring a lawyer

A local lawyer is best placed to provide legal advice. They should be able to provide advice, for example, to help you make a decision on whether to report the crime. See . The British High Commission cannot offer legal advice nor can we recommend an individual lawyer, but we can explain the options to you.

Communication

You should appoint a lawyer, who is familiar with the judicial system in Bangladesh, to represent you. If you do not want to appoint a lawyer, then you have to contact the police directly to request updates on the case.

Your lawyer will normally communicate directly with you in a method which is convenient for you.

Legal aid

Legal aid is the provision of assistance to people who are unable to afford legal representation and access to the court system.  is the government organisation responsible for providing legal aid in Bangladesh. There are other non-government organisations who also offer legal aid. The British High Commission can help you to access them.

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 바카라 사이트˜acquittal바카라 사이트™, 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 30 days from the date of the judgement.

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.

Support organisations in Bangladesh

It is your choice to let people know. If you are ready to talk about it, these organisations may be able to help you.

Name	Address	Telephone	Primary language	Services offered
	Sufia Kamal Bhaban, 10/B/1, Segunbagicha, Dhaka	+88-02-223352344, +88-01717363647 (helpline)	Primary language is Bangla	Legal support for victims of violence throughout the country, transient shelter home for women and girl child who are victims of violence and social injustice.
	Monico Mina Tower 48/3 West Agargaon, Dhaka-1207	+88 02 48122764, +88 02 48117658, +88 02 58156874	Primary language is Bangla. English speaker may be available.	Legal services, Rescue, Release and Repatriation of the victims of all forms of violence and human trafficking.

When you return to the UK

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 where the assault took place.

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.

Region	Contact
England	, or search online for 바카라 사이트˜NHS SARC바카라 사이트™
Scotland	, or phone 0141 211 8175
Wales	, or phone 01685 379 310
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Northern Ireland	, or phone 0800 389 4424

Disclaimer

This information has been prepared by UK 바카라 사이트 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 the UK 바카라 사이트 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 (2 February 2022).