DMP Commissioner urges media to use terms like ‘Violence Against Women’ instead of ‘Rape’

On Saturday, March 15, the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Commissioner, Sheikh Md. Sajjat Ali, made a public appeal to media outlets, urging them to stop using the term ‍‍`rape‍‍` in their reports. 

Instead, he suggested using alternatives like ‘violence against women’ or ‘abuse of women,’ as these phrases are less harsh and align with legal terminology. 

He expressed this view during the launch of the ‍‍`HELP‍‍` app, an initiative aimed at ensuring the safety of women using public transport.

The event was held at The Daily Star building on Kazi Nazrul Islam Avenue in Dhaka, where the commissioner spoke as the chief guest.

In his speech, Commissioner Sajjat Ali highlighted his discomfort with the term ‍‍`rape,‍‍` saying, "There are two words I strongly dislike, and one of them is ‍‍`rape.‍‍` I request you not to use this term. You should say ‍‍`violence against women‍‍` or ‍‍`abuse.‍‍` Even our laws refer to it as violence against women and children. Let us avoid using words that sound unpleasant."

The Commissioner emphasized the importance of media portraying these incidents in a more sensitive manner, in line with legal terminology and societal standards. 

His appeal is rooted in making the language around such sensitive topics less jarring to the public, while still addressing the issue with the seriousness it deserves.

The ‍‍`HELP‍‍` app, introduced at the event, is designed to make reporting harassment or assault on public transport easier and more accessible for women. 

The DMP Commissioner assured that any complaint filed through the app would be treated as a formal initial complaint or an FIR (First Information Report). 

This would mean the police could take action immediately without the complainant having to physically visit a police station. 

"If further action is needed, we will initiate a case based on the complaint received through the app," he added, highlighting the efficiency of the system.

Also in attendance was Fawzia Moslem, the President of the Bangladesh Mahila Parishad, who joined as a special guest. 

The event was chaired by Rezaul Haque, the Chairman of BJSC, who delivered a presidential speech. 

The session was moderated by BJSC Executive Shahnaz Sharmin, adding further prominence to the event.

This initiative marks a significant step toward improving women‍‍`s safety in public transportation, while also calling attention to the importance of language when addressing sensitive issues in the media.