On 8 March, a 20-year-old man from Narayanganj, Bangladesh, endured a traumatic experience when his 40-year-old neighbour, Sayeed, allegedly lured him into his home and sexually assaulted him.
Fearful and overwhelmed, the victim initially remained silent. It wasn’t until days later that he found the courage to confide in his family. His mother, heartbroken but resolute, filed a police report on 11 March in pursuit of justice for her son.
Police registered the complaint under Section 377 of the Penal Code, which classifies such acts as “sodomy” rather than rape. Officer-in-Charge Tarikul Islam confirmed that efforts are underway to locate and apprehend the suspect.
A Legal System That Ignores Male Victims
In Bangladesh, existing laws do not recognise men as victims of rape. Section 375 of the Penal Code defines rape exclusively as an act committed by a man against a woman. As a result, male survivors—like the young man from Narayanganj—are forced to seek justice under Section 377, a colonial-era statute that criminalises “unnatural offences” without acknowledging the trauma of sexual violence. This outdated legal framework also neglects to address sexual assault against transgender individuals, leaving many without legal protection or recourse.
Supreme Court lawyer and human rights advocate Jyotirmoy Barua highlights that this legal gap enables offenders to face reduced penalties. While rape convictions can carry life imprisonment or even the death penalty, charges under sodomy laws typically result in far lighter sentences. For male victims, this not only minimizes the severity of their trauma in the eyes of the law but also discourages them from speaking out.
Silenced by Stigma
Cultural stigma remains a significant barrier for male rape survivors. Deep-rooted societal myths—like the notion that “real men” cannot be victims of sexual violence—continue to prevail. As a result, many survivors remain silent, fearing judgment or doubts about their masculinity. Most are left to cope with the trauma in isolation, often for years.
A 2013 United Nations study documented over 2,300 cases of male-on-male rape in Bangladesh—but experts believe the actual figure is much higher. Many survivors, particularly adult men, choose not to report their assaults due to fears of being dismissed or not believed.
This widespread silence has broader consequences. It not only leaves victims without justice but also stalls progress on much-needed legal reforms. While countries like the UK, Canada, and Australia have modernised their laws to recognise male rape, Bangladesh continues to rely on outdated colonial-era definitions.
Students Demand Accountability—and Face Backlash
Following public outrage over the Narayanganj case, members of the activist group Students Against Discrimination (SAD) staged a protest, accusing authorities of attempting to suppress the case. Their demonstration reportedly provoked anger from local BNP supporters, who allegedly attacked them in retaliation, according to The Business Standard.
Rifaat Hossain Antu, a senior member of SAD, lodged a police report on 11 March regarding the assault. Authorities have confirmed that the complaint has been received and is currently under investigation.
Legal Reform on the Horizon
There may finally be a shift toward justice. In a recent press conference, Legal Adviser Asif Nazrul announced that reforms to Bangladesh’s rape laws are underway—signaling a potential turning point in the country’s approach to sexual violence and victim protection.
“Rape will now be punishable regardless of the perpetrator’s gender,”
he announced, marking a significant shift in legal recognition.
He further confirmed that the updated legislation would cover cases involving objects and ensure a faster judicial process for sexual violence cases.
For years, Bangladesh’s legal system has overlooked male rape survivors, forcing them to seek justice under laws that fail to acknowledge their trauma. While the proposed reforms represent meaningful progress, activists emphasize that legal change is only part of the solution. The deeper challenge lies in transforming societal attitudes—so that survivors of all genders can come forward without fear or shame.
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