4% of street-involved boys in Dhaka victims of sexual exploitation

Almost four per cent of street-involved boys in Dhaka are victims of commercial sexual exploitation, according to new national research launched on Monday by The Freedom Fund in collaboration with government agencies, research institutions and child protection organisations.

The findings, drawn from two major studies titled “Through Her Eyes and Beneath the Surface”, were presented at a national dissemination event attended by senior officials from the Ministry of Women and Children Affairs (MoWCA), Department of Social Services, UN bodies, INGOs, NGOs and survivor leaders. The initiative was funded by a grant from the United States Department of State.

Using surveys, qualitative interviews and hotspot mapping, researchers documented exploitation across high-risk zones, including parks, terminals, river ports, street-side workplaces and brothel communities.

The studies offer the most comprehensive evidence in recent years on child sexual exploitation in Dhaka, uncovering patterns of recruitment, coercion, survival strategies and the glaring absence of gender-responsive services.

Survivors reported that exploitation often unfolds in public spaces or within brothels marked by restrictive, abusive conditions.

Speaking as chief guest, Senior Secretary of MoWCA Mamtaz Ahmed NDC stressed the need for stronger, more inclusive child protection systems.

The Freedom Fund Bangladesh Country Representative Khaleda Akter said, “Girls and boys are being pulled into exploitation through different but equally brutal pathways. Girls are deceived with promises of care or financial stability, while boys are driven into survival sex because they are hungry, homeless, and unprotected. These findings must drive stronger policies, adequate investment, and unwavering commitment to children’s safety.”

Md. Saidur Rahman Khan, Director General of the Department of Social Services, said the studies expose urgent gaps in the system. “Although the government operates shelters, legal aid, and rehabilitation programmes, the findings show we must broaden our reach, strengthen trauma-informed services, and ensure equal support for boys and girls. We are committed to integrating these recommendations into ongoing reforms.”

Survivor leader Mst. Farida Parvin highlighted the need for supportive policies around documentation and reintegration. “We cannot rebuild our lives without legal identity. Many of us were denied schooling, healthcare, and even dignity in death. Organisations believed in us, but thousands of children still need that support.”

The studies call for earlier intervention through stronger child protection committees, coordinated referral mechanisms, family-based care, community awareness, and specialised training for law enforcement. They also warn that broader issues—rising living costs, internal migration, and limited opportunities for adolescents—heighten children’s vulnerability and require expanded social protection and education pathways.

The Freedom Fund emphasised that long-term investment in child protection delivers significant social and economic benefits. The organisation reaffirmed its commitment to supporting policy reform, technical assistance, and community-driven initiatives to ensure that no child is left behind.