Field Case Study Report

Factors contributing to sexual abuse and gender based violence of adolescent victims and its consequences in Bangladesh

A qualitative case study conducted in shelter home of Bangladesh National Woman Lawyers Association (BNWLA) West Agargoan, Dhaka

Duration: November 2013 to February 2014.

Submitted by Lubna Yeasmin lubyeasmin@yahoo.com Class roll- 07 Examination roll- 141 Session 2012-2013, Registration Ha-487

Supervisor Professor Dr. Md. Golam Azam

Victimology and Restorative Justice (VRJ) Institute of Social Welfare and Research University of Dhaka 2014

Prepared by Lubna Yeasmin, VRJ ISWR, DU Session 2012-2013

Field Case Study Report

Factors contributing to sexual abuse and gender based violence of adolescent victims and its consequences in Bangladesh

A qualitative case study conducted in shelter home of Bangladesh National Woman Lawyers Association (BNWLA) West Agargoan, Dhaka
Institute Supervisor Agency Supervisor

Dr. Md. Golam Azam Professor Victimology and Restorative Justice Institute of Social Welfare and Research University of Dhaka

Ms. Tawhida Khondaker (Advocate), Director Protection West Agargoan, Dhaka Bangladesh BNWLA

Submitted by Lubna Yeasmin lubyeasmin@yahoo.com Class roll- 07 Examination roll- 141 Session 2012-2013, Registration Ha-487

Victimology and Restorative Justice (VRJ) Institute of Social Welfare and Research University of Dhaka 2014

Prepared by Lubna Yeasmin, VRJ ISWR, DU Session 2012-2013

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS The preparation and writing of this case study has been most significant academic challenge I have ever gone through. It happened not to be as smooth as it was initially thought. Without the support, patience and guidance of the following people, this study would have been even difficult. I owe my deepest gratitude to- a roster so large that I can, at best, hope to make a few gestures of acknowledgement towards the most pressing of these debts: I would particularly like to record my gratitude to the following: Professor Dr. Nurul Islam Director, ISWR who has thought us how to do a Case Study research and how to provide support to a victim as a development professional. Professor Dr. Md. Taher who has not only guided us about the values, principles and philosophy of a certain work but also showed how to be a discipline person no matter how aged one can be. Professor Dr. Mahbuba Sultana who used to take lectures interestingly without digital support has given us insightfulness of management in other issues in the professional career and most importantly the core of Restorative Justice and Mr. Tawhid to whom I found very energetic as a Lecturer and who has tried his best to deal with a heterogeneous group like us. Science thanks to Dr. Kamal Hossain for his valuable comments and guidance, Dr. Javed Patwary for sharing relevant incidence, videos which have given us practical knowledge on the subject, and all the Faculties of ISWR and guest teachers for the efforts they have taken to enrich us. This acknowledgement would not be completed without Advocate A.B.M Bayezid (whose sincere support for providing lectures notes to all students throughout the year) and all the students of VRJ 1st Batch -2013 with whom I have shared most of my journey in this VRJ program. They were very helpful and ready to discuss whenever consulted despite the enormous work pressure we were facing together. The BNWLW people who had taught me that Victim is not a product to show in public to earn sympathy, but a matter of survival and be alive. Their generosity and willingness to share gave me the chance to learn about their activities and pathway to resilience. I would like to thank Ms. Tawhida Khondaker (Advocate), Director Protection for her support in hosting this study, her insightful feedback and inspiring work to empower and support the adolescent victim through protection had encouraged me to continue with this study despite all odds. Special thanks also go to the staff BNWLA Ms. Nazma Begum Assistant Manager, Ms. Sultana Mumina Jahan -Admin Officer, Shahida Sultana- Part time Counselor and Nighat Sima- Law Officer of BNWLA who had kindly arrange all logistics support for the study. All the other staff members and the adolescent victims those who lives in the shelter home of Bangladesh National Women Lawyers Association they were so cooperative without whose help this study would not have become a reality. The shortcomings of this study remain solely on my own inadequacy. This study was carried out under the guidance of my supervisor, Dr. Dr. Md. Golam Azam, I acknowledge that he sometimes had to leave aside other academic, professional and individual commitments to make sure I was on right track. His knowledge, commitment and encouragements had marked a highest inspiration and motivation for my carrier for the great support I received on shaping and sharpening my focus on topic selection and methodology. His concrete ideas and inputs to guide the analytical part of the study. I have got an inspiration about the topic Meditation which is scientific to reach God and also to be keeping ourselves fit and lead our life with smoothness and happiness. 3

Prepared by Lubna Yeasmin, VRJ ISWR, DU Session 2012-2013

Mrittika Sadi and Anila Sadi my daughters and relatives who had to spend many weekends and family parties in my absence. I am deeply sorry for the time we spent apart. Last but not least, K.M.G Sadi my husband, without whom this effort would have been worth nothing. Your love, support and constant patience have taught me so much about sacrifice, discipline and compromise throughout this VRJ Course and are inscribed in this dissertation and in my life, from beginning till the end.

Prepared by Lubna Yeasmin, VRJ ISWR, DU Session 2012-2013

PREFACE Social work is a professional activity to help individuals, groups and communities to enhance their capacity for proper social functioning and creating societal condition favorable to those goals. Psychiatric social workers, also referred to as clinical social workers or mental social workers, help individuals with mental or emotional disorders deal with social problems such as substance abuse or child neglect. Bangladesh is a country with an approximate geographical area of 147,570 square kilometres and a population of 160 million people. In Bangladesh socio-political situation is insecure and unstable along with poverty and vulnerability to natural disasters. These factors are related to psychiatric morbidity. The country has faced structure in the lot of changes in last two decades or so many psycho-social problems are now hitting in our country and creating a lot of problems for the people. But the majority people of our country are not aware of their problems. The great concern is that this psychotic difficulty has great influences on individual, family, and social perspective. Treatment, supportive measures and institution also a few around the country against demand of difficulties. BNWLA as a human rights organization believes and committed in progressive, democratic practices with religious tolerance, creating gender equality through mutual respect, collective response along effective coordination and openness. The study has examined the condition of the victims after they had received the shelter, counseling, mental & legal support from BNWLA. Few of them has been restored in the society after getting back to their family, got a new job & living naturally as much as possible with their default economical limitations. Yet they are happy & we see the objectives have been successfully reached. There are few yet to reach the goal, where further intervention is needed which may include new ideas along with the current support they are receiving. There might be a need of innovative ideas and consultation from domain experts to revive them from their mental stigma as the problems have got many facets & so the solution differs by and large. Sometime the additional approaches for few may cause extra financial involvement which requires to take into consideration. While I was dealing with the cases I have tried In-depth study on the case throughout this study period, I have tried to find out demographic, physical, psychological, socio-economic background. Simultaneously seek for understand the existing problems and causes behind these. Client has distinct needs and concerns that are determined by the cultural climates and social group in which they live and develop. Women and men are basically cultural social beings. Effective counseling requires special knowledge and insight that focuses on particular and common aspects of sexuality and sexual orientation of people. Adolescent girls have special needs related to biological difference and socialization patterns that make many of their counseling concerns differ from mens. Girls still lack the degree of freedom, status, access and acceptance that men possess. I am really pleased to get the opportunity to work at BNWLA. The understanding what I have put on during my field practicum will really be a windfall in my near future. With regards, Lubna Yeasmin Class roll- 07 Examination roll- 141 Session 2012-2013, Registration Ha-487