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THE exploitation of children in any form represents one of the gravest violations of human rights. In Bangladesh, a country proud of its cultural richness, social resilience and progressive strides in education and gender equality, the reality of commercial sexual exploitation of children is a disturbing contradiction. Hidden in the shadows of urban centers, ports, brothels, streets and even digital platforms, thousands of children are trapped in cycles of abuse, coercion and hopelessness. Tackling this hidden epidemic demands not only stronger laws but a societal awakening.

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Scale and nature

WHILE reliable nationwide statistics remain elusive, research estimates that tens of thousands of Bangladeshi children — some as young as 8 or 9 years old — are victims of commercial sexual exploitation. In major cities like Dhaka, Chittagong, Khulna, Mymensingh and Sylhet, children are found working in brothels, on the streets, or in hotels and guesthouses. Beyond traditional brothels, the rise of ‘hidden brothels’ in residential areas and the use of online platforms to arrange exploitation have made the problem more difficult to detect. The commercial aspect means that children are not only sexually abused but commodified, bought and sold — often repeatedly — for profit. This deeply entrenched exploitation leaves physical, psychological and emotional scars that can last a lifetime.

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Root causes

POVERTY remains the single most significant driver. Families living in desperate economic conditions may knowingly or unknowingly push children into exploitative situations, sometimes disguised as promises of work or education. Seasonal migration, particularly from climate-affected areas such as the coastal belt and river islands, exacerbates vulnerability. Children separated from their communities — displaced by floods, cyclones, or river erosion — are often preyed upon by traffickers who lure them with false promises.

Family breakdown, domestic violence and social exclusion — particularly among marginalised communities also heighten the risks. When combined with low birth registration rates and poor child protection systems, vulnerable children often disappear into exploitative networks without a trace. Traffickers and pimps exploit these vulnerabilities systematically, knowing that rescue, recovery and prosecution are rare.

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Legal framework

BANGLADESH has taken steps to strengthen its legal framework against child sexual exploitation. Key laws such as the Prevention and Suppression of Human Trafficking Act 2012, the Children Act 2013 and the Pornography Control Act 2012 criminalise the exploitation of children. Bangladesh is also a signatory to international conventions such as the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and its Optional Protocol on the Sale of Children, Child Prostitution and Child Pornography.

However, significant gaps remain. Definitions of exploitation in the laws are not always harmonised or aligned with international standards. Enforcement is inconsistent, especially when corruption and local power dynamics interfere. Victim-blaming attitudes among law enforcement officers and judicial delays discourage many survivors from seeking justice. Moreover, online sexual exploitation of children is an emerging threat not yet fully addressed by current legal instruments. Without robust implementation, the best laws remain paper promises.

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Role of brothels and hidden exploitation

TRADITIONAL brothels like those in Daulatdia, Kandapara and Tanbazar have historically been linked to child exploitation, although direct involvement of minors has declined somewhat under national and international pressure. Yet exploitation has not disappeared; it has simply gone underground. Street-based exploitation, domestic brothels operating out of rental apartments, exploitation in hotels and digital recruitment via mobile phones and social media apps have proliferated.

Hidden exploitation is far more difficult to monitor and intervene in. Many children are kept under ‘debt bondage,’ a system where they are told they owe money for food, shelter, or ‘rescue’ and must repay through sexual services. In practice, they never escape the debt. Law enforcement agencies are often either unaware or complicit and raids tend to target adult sex workers while ignoring the more complex cases involving minors.

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Online exploitation

AS INTERNET penetration grows in Bangladesh, online platforms have become both recruitment tools and exploitation venues. Perpetrators use messaging apps, online classifieds and social media to solicit and traffic children. Live-streaming of sexual abuse, child sexual abuse materials and grooming for commercial sexual exploitation have all been reported.

Unfortunately, cybersecurity capacity remains limited. Law enforcement agencies lack specialised units, trained personnel and necessary technology to track, investigate and prosecute online offenders efficiently. There is also a lack of cooperation between tech companies and the government to proactively identify and remove harmful content. Without urgent attention to the digital dimension, the exploitation of children will continue to outpace the ability to combat it.

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Gendered dimension of exploitation

WHILE girls make up the majority of child victims, boys and intersex children are also increasingly affected — a reality often overlooked in public discourse. Boys, particularly those living on the streets or in juvenile detention centres, are vulnerable to sexual exploitation in exchange for food, shelter, or protection. Intersex children, already marginalised by society, often find no alternative livelihood options and are pushed into exploitative sex work under the control of criminal networks.

Gender-sensitive approaches are essential. Services must recognise the specific vulnerabilities and needs of all exploited children, regardless of gender and avoid re-traumatising survivors through stigma and discrimination.

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Deep psychological and health impacts

THE impacts of commercial sexual exploitation on children are devastating and lifelong. Survivors often experience post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, anxiety, substance abuse, and suicidal thoughts. The physical toll includes sexually transmitted infections, unwanted pregnancies and chronic health issues due to lack of medical care. The social stigma attached to survivors often prevents their reintegration into society, further compounding their isolation and vulnerability to re-exploitation.

Without comprehensive, trauma-informed services — including healthcare, psychosocial support, education and vocational training — the cycle of abuse continues. Rehabilitation must be seen not as charity but as a right owed to every exploited child.

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Rescue alone not enough

OCCASIONAL police raids that ‘rescue’ children from brothels or exploitation sites are sometimes publicised as success stories. However, rescue without a comprehensive rehabilitation and reintegration plan can be counterproductive. Many rescued children end up in poorly managed government shelters where abuse is rampant, or they escape back to the streets where they fall prey again to exploiters.

Real rehabilitation requires individualized case management, long-term psychological counselling, quality education opportunities, life skills training and preparation for independent living. Safe foster care and supported housing models are far preferable to institutionalisation, particularly for children who have suffered complex trauma. Reintegration with families must only occur after careful assessment to ensure that the home environment is safe.

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Role of civil society and NGOs

NON-GOVERNMENTAL organisations in Bangladesh have played a critical role in identifying victims, providing shelter, advocating for legal reforms and raising public awareness. Organisations such as Aparajeyo Bangladesh, INCIDIN Bangladesh and others have demonstrated that community-based interventions can be effective when adequately resourced and supported.

Partnerships between NGOs and government agencies are essential. Civil society organisations often have the trust of communities that government institutions lack, and their local knowledge is indispensable for outreach. However, funding insecurity, bureaucratic hurdles and occasional hostility from authorities hamper their work. A genuine spirit of partnership, rather than suspicion, must characterise the relationship between state and civil society.

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Prevention

ULTIMATELY, prevention is the most powerful tool. Preventive strategies must start early, addressing root causes like poverty, education exclusion and gender discrimination. School retention programs, social protection measures for vulnerable families, livelihood support for adolescent girls and boys and birth registration drives can dramatically reduce children’s vulnerability.

Community awareness campaigns are equally critical. Myths and misconceptions about child exploitation must be challenged; and parents, teachers, religious leaders and local officials must be mobilised as allies in protecting children. Prevention must also include early warning systems that identify children at risk and provide timely interventions before exploitation occurs.

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Political will and national commitment

ENDING commercial sexual exploitation of children in Bangladesh is not beyond reach. It requires, above all, political will and a national commitment that transcends rhetoric. Comprehensive national action plans must be implemented with clear targets, adequate budgets and strong monitoring mechanisms. Special task forces combining police, prosecutors, social workers and child protection specialists must be operationalised to detect, investigate and disrupt exploitation networks.

The justice system must ensure swift and child-sensitive prosecution of offenders, sending a clear message that exploiting children is an unforgivable crime. Survivors must be at the centre of policy design and their voices must be heard with respect and dignity.

Bangladesh has shown the world its determination in many spheres — from disaster resilience to microfinance to women’s empowerment. It can and must show the same determination to eradicate the commercial sexual exploitation of its children.

In doing so, the country will not only fulfil its constitutional and international obligations but also honour the dreams and rights of its most vulnerable citizens. The time for action is now — not tomorrow, not someday — but today.

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Musharraf Tansen is a development analyst and former country representative of Malala Fund.