First Case in Bangladesh Frees Six Children

“This moment marks a critical milestone in the history and future of bringing transformation to the criminal justice system in Bangladesh,” shared Claire Wilkinson, IJM Bangladesh’s Country Head.

This was the first rescue operation supported by IJM Bangladesh since launching our program to end the commercial sexual exploitation of children (CSEC) in April 2025. It also marks a historic milestone in Bangladesh’s fight against trafficking.

We believe this is the first rescue that Bangladesh Police has conducted in the last 10 years to remove children from CSEC,” shares Claire Wilkinson. “Tens of thousands of children continue to be exploited, but we are encouraged by the willingness of police and the Department of Social Services to protect survivors.

Local sources had informed IJM staff about potential abuse happening at this massage parlour. Our team gathered information and presented it to the police after confirming that at least one minor girl was being exploited for sex inside.  

The pursuit of justice requires many. On 10 December, a team of eight police officers, six IJM staff, and three survivor leaders connected to a local partner arrived at the massage parlour to investigate the reports of abuse and bring the victims to safety.  

Initially, police struggled to enter the business’s complex system of locks until two officers gained entry from a rear door and brought the others inside. During this delay, several potential suspects and potential victims escaped the facility by climbing through an air vent and between the tightly packed buildings.

Authorities quickly apprehended the remaining suspects and separated them from the 12 potential victims.  

They then conducted detailed inquiries to reveal how the massage parlour operated. “All the victims said they were lured on false promises of a good job, either as a receptionist at the spa or as a masseuse,” shared one IJM staff member. Traffickers kept up to 20 women and girls on site and expected them to engage up to five customers each weekday and ten on weekend days. Police believe they kept at least 6-10 children at the parlour every day to be exploited, on a rotational basis.

Following the rescue operation, IJM supported police officials to document evidence and file charges against the suspects. IJM also ensured that police conducted interviews with the survivors in a sensitive and victim-friendly manner.  

The court ordered for the survivors to be transferred to a specialised Child Development Centre. Our team will continue to provide legal support and aftercare counselling to the survivors in the upcoming months. In coordination with local authorities, IJM team members will help in assessing the holistic long-term needs of the children as they heal.  

This rescue builds on years of groundwork by IJM Bangladesh to protect 6.5 million girls from CSEC in the next five years. Recent trainings for police, lawyers, and prosecutors were evident in the professional handling of survivors and media during the operation.

Crucially, this success came after IJM signed an MOU with Anirban Survivor Voice, a collective of trafficking survivors who advocate for change. Anirban members acted as independent witnesses and complainants, strengthening the case.

We have scratched the tip of the iceberg,” says Claire Wilkinson. “This moment marks a critical milestone in transforming Bangladesh’s criminal justice system to protect children from exploitation.