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Department of Criminology
Acid Survivors Foundation
Prepared by
Group-B
Tanjin Ahsan (30) (GL)
Md. Fakhruddin Bepary (07)
Md. Israfeel Miah (03)
Md. Jahangir Hossain (11)
Md. Nayem Hossain (14)
Md. Farhad Meazi (22)
Course: CRM 223 Introduction to Victimology
Date of Submission: February 28, 2017
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Preface
Stop Acid Violence, You Can Help
Our Alliance and Unity Can Prevent Acid Terrorism
Acid Survivors Foundation (ASF) was formed in 1999 with the growing concern of the
rising trend of Acid Violence in Bangladesh. Acid Survivors Foundation thinks that,
acid violence is a gender biased crime that reflects and perpetrates the inequality of
women in society. Selina Ahmed, Executive Director of ASF, said that acid violence
continues because of patriarchy, lack of education and equality.1 A lot of acid
survivors are now seeing new dream, new light of hope, inspiration, independent life
and new path through the helping hand of Acid Survivors Foundation around the
world.
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Acid Survivors Foundation Inauguration Ceremony
At a glance
Founded Dhaka, Bangladesh (May 1999)
Type Non-Profit Organization
CRP Building (5th and 6th Floor), Mirpur-
Location
14,Dhaka-1206
Region Bangladesh
Services Treats victims of acid violence and
helps them reintegrate themselves into
normal life
Fields Protecting human rights
Key
people Sir John Morrison, Founding Executive
Director. Selina Ahmed, Executive
Director.
Dr. Iftekharuzzaman, Chairperson
Website www.acidsurvivors.org
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Our Visit to Acid Survivors Foundation
Students from Department of Criminology, University of Dhaka are with survivors and research team of
Acid Survivors Foundation at Nasrin Haque Archieve.
A group of six students from Department of Criminology, University of Dhaka visited Acid Survivors
Foundation on February 26, 2017 regarding their course Introduction to Victimology.
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Purposes:
Achieving knowledge on victim support, aid, co-operation and rehabilitation
To observe how the organization functions.
To hear the life stories of acid survivors and find out of the reason of criminal victimization.
3 acid survivors share their stories.
According to the research team of Acid Survivor Foundation-
The most acid violence prone districts in Bangladesh are Sirajgonj, Mymenshingh,
Netrokona, Bogura.
Sirajgonj is one of the most acid violence prone district in Bangladesh where the
percentage of men acid victims are higher than women and children. There are about
60% acid victims are men. Main source of acid availability is weaving (making clothes
from cotton). Acid is used in coloring cotton in this district. So people easily found a
bottle of acid near their hand.
Rangamati is only district where no acid throwing case is found.
Dhaka is the most acid violence prone city in Bangladesh.
Most of people think that acid throwing case is a police case. So it is necessary to go to
government hospital rather than the closest hospital for collecting case certificate. It
makes the victim’s situation more harmful and the acid reaches deeper to the skin. First
priority should be given to minimize the harm of victim and should take the victim to
the nearest hospital.
BRAC reports most of the acid cases to Acid Survivors Foundation.
According to Onimesh Sarkar, Assistant Manager, Legal, said that delay process of
judicial system, delaying in making charge sheet, bribery, misuse of political power,
weakness of law enforcement, corrupted legal bodies and polices, lack of morality and
lack of monitoring of UNO and DC office on the registration of using acid, its amount
and purposes are the major reasons of acid throwing. District Assort Committee should
monitor it strictly to control Acid violence.
Most of the time, the perpetrators do not confess their guilt. Most of the time, there is
no forensic evidence is found. The offender’s family give bribe and pressure to
witnesses and the witnesses do not want to give any testimony.
The strong monitoring system can reduce the rate of acid throwing.
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Acid Survivors Foundation (ASF) and Its Branches All Over the World
ASF Bangladesh
From humble beginnings in 1999, The Acid Survivors Foundation Bangladesh, now serves as the
model for our other partners. The work in Bangladesh has attracted international attention,
recognition and support. HRH The Princess Royal visited ASF Bangladesh in 2001 and has shown
continuing interest in its work. Monira Rahman, the Executive Director of Acid Survivors
Foundation, was awarded the Amnesty Human Rights Award for her fight against Acid Violence in
March 2006.ASF Bangladesh plans a recovery program for each individual survivor with the aim of
helping them psychologically, medical, rehabilitation and legally. The Foundation has also
successfully worked with ordinary citizens, social activists and – very importantly – the government
itself, to campaign against acid attacks, change legislation and bring perpetrators to justice. The
results of this campaigning effort have proved very successful.
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Acid violence peaked in Bangladesh in 2002 with 500 attacks. In 2009 that figure is expected to fall
below 100. Great work is being done to reduce the incident of acid attacks, which only serves to
strengthen our commitment to eradicate acid violence in Bangladesh together.2
ASF India
Acid Survivors Trust India was established in perpetuity at Kolkata by Mr H P Kanoria as a Non
Government organization (NGO) in February 2010:
1. For public and charitable purposes;
2. For setting up a countrywide centre for the care, treatment and rehabilitation of acid attack
victims; and
3. For prevention and eradication of acid attacks by generating awareness through campaigns,
public education and other means.
The name was later changed to Acid Survivors Foundation India (ASFI) when the same became an
In-Country Partner of Acid Survivors Trust International (ASTI), a London based charity and centre
of excellence in the field. This facilitated access to additional specialist support including skills,
knowledge sharing, best practices and inputs from ASTI and other partner organizations.
ASFI has made a beginning to tackle the challenging tasks ahead, which are pretty complex in view
of the size (28 federal states) and population (1.22 billion) of the country. Lack of reliable statistics
about acid attacks throughout the country has rendered long term perspective planning somewhat
difficult. India shares common features and problems with its South Asian neighbours and taking
their incidence as guide over the years, an estimate of 500 to 1000 acid attacks per annum.
The causes of acid attacks in India are varied but the most prominent are domestic violence, dowry
demands, marital rejections and suspicion of infidelity.
ASFI has so far initiated action on the following lines:
Collection of data and statistics on acid attacks.
Formation of a network of ASFI Chapters and/or associates at important locations.
Interacting with various agencies engaged with the problem of acid violence.
Planning an All India Conference on “Women: Violence and Victimization – Social and Legal
Aspects,” early next year. (The theme and title are subject to modification in consultation with
partners).
Preparing a Pilot Project for holistic attention to acid survivors, including care and treatment,
psychotherapy, social rehabilitation and confidence building.
A popular Fundraising Event that will serve the dual purpose of promoting the cause of acid victims
and generating wherewithal to support ASFI’s efforts in this direction is being planned.
Enactment of sections 326A (hurt by acid) and 326B (attempt to throw or administer acid) under
Indian Penal Code (IPC) as non bailable offences, enhancement of jail term to ten years and
monetary compensation of Rs 1,000,000, draft Bill for which has already been approved by the
Union Cabinet, is pending. Meanwhile, ASFI will approach the State government to frame rules for
regulating the sale and distribution of acidic materials.
Provision of legal advice and support to victims for obtaining justice and protection from threats. 3
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ASF Pakistan
Acid Survivors Foundation in Pakistan (ASF-P) was founded in 2006 when ASTI successfully secured
funding to pay for a three-year project to establish a new 25-bed nursing and rehabilitation unit.
The Acid Burns Nursing and Rehabilitation Unit Project, was confirmed in August 2006 and the first
patients were treated in January 2007.
ASF-Pakistan operates a varied program which includes re-constructive surgery, nursing care,
counselling and psychological and psychiatric treatment. Rehabilitation program include job
placement and self-employment assistance. They also run an art therapy program and do
campaigning work on awareness and prevention.
The work in awareness and prevention includes plans for:
Identifying and establishing links with national social activists, medical specialists and related
practitioners for both support and for practical involvement.
Enlisting the various public media in the campaign against acid attacks
Lobbying senior politicians, government institutions and civil bodies about the social issues which
characterize acid attacks
Lobbying for the establishment of an adequate public (government-run) burns unit in each of
Pakistan’s four provinces.
Campaigning for the rights of women
Achieving sustainability through financing and national and international forms of support.
ASF-P played a key advocacy role that led to the Pakistani government passing the Criminal Law
Amendment Act 2011.4
ASF Uganda
Acid Survivors’ Foundation Uganda (ASF-U) was established in 2003. It is a registered Non-
Governmental Organization and operates across Uganda with an office in its capital city Kampala.
The organization was established by survivors and a Ugandan doctor, helped by the Chair of ASTI.
The Uganda Acid Survivors Foundation seeks to help victims of acid attacks by:
Enabling survivors of acid attacks to get the best medical treatment
Offering legal support and advice to acid survivors and their families
Assisting in the rehabilitation, education and training of acid survivors
Advocating for the reduction and eventual elimination of acid attacks
Advocating for reform in the penal law with regard to acid attacks
Some survivors help the Ugandan ASF in its administration and with its counselling services.
Funding and support has been found to help survivors progress to higher education or undertake
forms of training to help them find gainful employment.4
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Acid Violence: What Does the Acid Survivors Foundation Say?
Gender based violence is a common scenario in Bangladesh. Acid violence is a gender based
crime. It is particularly vicious and damaging form of violence in Bangladesh where acid is
thrown in people’s face. Gender based violence cuts across cultural and religious barriers
and impede on women's right to fully participate in society. The majority of acid victims are
women and many of them are below 18 years of age. Recently, children, older women and
also men are victimized through acid violence.
It has the effect of denying important rights of women such as economic and social well
being, political participation, personal fulfillment and self-worth.
Acid violence prevents many acid victims from living independent lives resulting in a
situation of vulnerability and dependency.
Impacts on Acid Victims due to Acid Violence
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Statistics
Acid Attack Statistics-2016
Month Number of incidents Number of survivors
January 4 4
February 4 4
March 1 3
April 3 4
May 5 6
June 2 2
July 3 4
August 6 6
September 8 9
October 3 4
November 3 3
December
Total 42 49
Motivation of acid attack - 2015
Reasons Man Woman Children
Dowry - 5 -
Family related dispute 3 6 -
Land/property/money
8 8 -
dispute
Marital dispute 1 8 -
Refusal/rejection of love - 2 3
Refusal/rejection
1 1 5
of marriage
Refusal/rejection of Sex - 2 -
Not know 8 6 -
Others 2 3 2
Total: 23 41 10
[Source: http://www.acidsurvivors.org/Statistics/2]
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[Source: http://www.acidsurvivors.org/Statistics/2]
Gender Perspective
According to Acid Survivors Foundation (ASF), 3360 people are acid attacked from 3302 incidents in
during 1999-2015.
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Acid Survivors Foundation: How do they work?
Acid Survivors Foundation works with certain mission, vision and values. They are-
Mission
To prevent acid & burn violence and empower survivors, especially women and children, by:
working with an integrated approach; using a replicable holistic (bio psycho-social) model which
engages all national & international stakeholders and is backed by research, experience & evidence.
Vision
ASF is a centre of excellence with a vision of Bangladesh free from acid violence, where burn
victims, especially women and children, live with dignity.
Values
We strive to ensure Survivors Satisfaction in all activities; while maintaining Confidentiality and
Respect for the Individuals. We take pride in the delivery of Quality Products & Services in a Timely
Manner with Accuracy and Follow Up in all we do, ensuring Safety & Security. We will continuously
Build our Team for Excellence in Service Delivery, Accountability & Transparency.
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1. Activists and workers of Acid Survivors Foundation are very conscious about performing
their duty. All of them are working under an Executive Director.
2. They have 24 hotlines and 4 hotlines of them are shown in the website. First two contact
numbers for general contact (Such as appointment, advocacy, and legal aids), third one for
reporting acid cases and fourth one for medical facilities.
3. They bring patients from everywhere in the country. If the victim is not solvent or not
capable of managing transport, Acid Survivors Foundation also gives transport facilities.
4. Acid Survivors Foundation has own specialized hospital for providing completely free
medical facilities for survivors.
5. They have 16 Donors, 77 donation organizations and a huge number of individual donors
for monetary and financial assistance.
16 Donors are- Acid Survivors Trust International (ASTI), Al-Khair Foundation, Australian
AID, Bangladesh Freedom Organization, Canadian International Development Agency
(CIDA), Deutsche Gasellschaft fur Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), Embassy of the
Kingdom of the Netherlands, European Commission (EC), Kadoorie Foundation, Manusher
Jonno Foundation, Royal Dansih Embassy, UNICEF, USC Canada-Bangladesh, UNFPA,
Women At Risk International (WAR), Zilber Family Foundation.7
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Besides, BRAC Bank, Standard Chartered Bank, Dutch-Bangla Bank, Prime Bank, IDLC Finance, Arab
Bangladesh Bank, Bank Asia, French Embassy are some of major donation organizations of Acid
Survivors Foundation.
Collection of Individual Donors
One may help a victim of this organization through several processes-
Donate medicine and medical equipment
Impart medical skills and training
Sponsor medical treatment at home and abroad
Support the expenses of a survivor and take care of medical/social needs
Creative employment opportunities at private and government levels
Give vocational training
Donate household items e.g. clothes, furniture, bedding, crockery etc .
Raise awareness against all forms of violence against women and acid throwing in own area.
Governance and Management
The Board of Trustees of Acid Survivors Foundation (ASF) is the apex body of the Foundation. The
Executive Director of the Foundation is an ex-officio non-voting member of the board. The board of
trustees is responsible for policy making and defining vision and mission of the Foundation and
providing leadership and guidance for carrying out its plans, programs and activities. The board
approves the annual activities plan, budget, annual report and audited financial statements.
There is an Executive Committee as an organ of the board to pursue and carry out the activities of
the Foundation and attain its objectives. ASF has divided its operations into four major
Departments called;
1. Program
2. Medical and Hospital Services
3. Planning & Development and
4. Operational Management.
Under the program department there are two functional units’ viz., Prevention advocacy and
Lobby, and survivors support services. All the departments are headed by the respective heads.
The organizational structure is flat and informal, the Executive Director, department heads and
unit managers can communicate informally and can quickly react to perceive opportunities, set
goals, plan and decide strategies. Authority is delegated all over the organizations and even down
to the level of officers. The departments and units are determined by their functions and
relationship with other departments and units. The employees are assigned duties and
responsibilities through their job description. The organization structure encompasses the
departments and units to support management capabilities, coordinate operations within and
across the unit boundaries and encourage downward delegation.
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Medical Support:
Acid Survivors Foundation runs a 20 bedded specialized hospital with fully equipped Operation
Theatre and post-operative care facilities. They provide free treatment with Reconstructive surgery
by highly qualified Plastic Surgeons. Besides, post-operative care such as physiotherapy, pressure
garments for survivors and psychological services.
Pressure Garment is a garment made from elasticized fabrics that can apply continuous pressure
over the healing skin after burns, trauma and surgery. A pressure between 25 and 32 mmHg is
used to treat the scar. It limits hypertrophy and contracture of scar tissue. These garments need
to be worn for at least 6 months and perhaps as long as 2-3 years.
ASF introduced the pressure garments unit in 2002 to provide comprehensive treatment to
survivors. In 2015, ASF in collaboration with National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery (NIBPS),
Dhaka Medical College Start a “Pressure Garment and Brace/Splint Corner” in NIBPS at as a Public
Private Partnership Program. They provide-
24 hotlines for reporting attacks and referrals
24 hours free treatment
With the help of partner NGOs a nation-wide notification system to arrange immediate
treatment
First aid treatment for acid burn
Facilities to perform immediate surgery
24 hours ambulance service and nursing facilities
Provide nutritional needs
Healthy environment with air circulation and sunlight
Counseling , essential physiotherapy and psychotherapy
Only registered non-government hospital providing free services for burn care
Legal aid and long term rehabilitation support.
Post - operative
Post - operative
Pre – operative. (after anothers 05
(after 05 months)
months)
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Capacity Development of Burn Care Professionals
Acid Survivors Foundation runs training session with burn care professional in supporting from
Interburns has been implementing a project in partnership manner with National Institute of Burn
and plastic Surgery (NIBPS) and Bangladesh Society for Burn injuries (BSBI) to reduce the impact of
burns through a comprehensive approach encompassing training, education, research, prevention
and capacity building.
ASF organized seven Essential Burn Care (EBC) trainings, three at National Institute of Burns and
plastic Surgery (NIBPS), two in Shaheed Suhrawardy Medical College Hospital and the rest of 2 in
Gazipur District Sadar Hospital in 2015.A total of 164 participants including 101 women
participated in training sessions. This training helps the burn care professional to strengthen their
capacities and burn team works with the appropriate skill and knowledge to maintain a good
standard of care at their respective hospitals and to decrease both mobility and mortality of Burn
injuries from Bangladesh.
In 2015, ASF also organized a 5 day long Advance Burn Care (ABC) training on Rehabilitation in
collaboration with Interburns at NIBPS. 26 burn care professionals including Physiotherapists,
occupational therapists and Nurses participated in the training to learn standard advanced
knowledge about burn care.
Psychological Services
Most of the acid victims suffered from various psychological symptoms like PTSD (Post Traumatic
Stress Disorder) and anxiety like symptoms such as recurrent memories, traumatic nightmares,
detachment feeling, felt fear, anger, horror feeling, shame, inability to recall the traumatic event,
helplessness, restlessness, vulnerable etc. The ASF hospital provides Psychotherapy, group
counseling, post operational counseling, relaxation, social skill training, art therapy and music
therapy. Music and art therapy overcome their mental trauma survivors. ASF arranges these
therapies to reduce the survivors’ anxiety, depression and withdrawal syndromes.
Some artworks are displayed in the “Nasrin Haque Archive” painted by acid survivor women.
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Besides, they give guideline on “Minimum Care Standard of psychological and Mental Health Care”
for Victims of Acid and other Burn Violence. Minimum standard guidelines are essential
prerequisites are for ensuring quality of services. This guideline is helpful for acid and other burn
survivors can be helpful in many ways including planning, development, maintenance and
evaluation of services. The guideline contains 43 aspects with minimum standard statements
organized under three board categories namely service delivery aspects, service providers, aspects
and organizational matters. This guideline has been prepared through a series of activities of ASF
including International conference on Setting standards for psychological and mental health
service provision for victims of acid and burn violence, document analysis, field study, review of
examples, panel discussion, stakeholder meeting, dissemination seminar, consultation with
different stakeholders including and there family members as well as Government and other
Service Providers.
Limitations of ASF Hospital:
The hospital has no ICU (Intensive Care Unit) but ICU is necessary for acute burn and if the
respiratory organs will be affected by acid or corrosive chemical.
The hospital has no psychologist or psychotherapists of their own.
Rehabilitation and Reintegration
Acid violence is a worldwide particular phenomenon that is not restricted to particular race,
religion and geographical location. Acid violence not only damages victims physically and
emotionally, it also carries devastating long-term effects on their psyche, and their economic and
social lives. So the mental health and recovery of an acid and burn survivor is strongly linked to
many social factors including their economic vulnerability, insecurity, harrowing wait for justice
and the reaction and acceptance from the family and society. ASF recognized that optimally, care
for the survivors should cover both medical and psychosocial aspects.
Rehabilitation Support Provided in 2015 by Acid Survivors Foundation
Women attacked by their husbands or who are Women attacked by their
Family husbands or who are sole earner in the family and who have children as
Assistance their dependents are provided with an interim financial support to meet
Direct their immediate needs. ASF’s provided family assistance support to 9
female survivors and one male survivor.
Support
Support provided to selected survivors for continuing their education after
from
Education acid attack. In a few cases children of survivors who are women and head
Acid of the households and children of survivors with disabilities have received
Survivors Support
this support. ASF provided education support to 53 students including 35
Foundation women and girls and 17 men and boys in 2015 to enable them to continue
their education.
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The economic and financial burden following an acid attack increases the
vulnerability of the survivor and their family members. Most survivors
Income belong to a lower economic status and unable to bear loss of an income
Generating earner. In many cases the victim is the sole breadwinner of the family
member is the perpetrator. Many survivors feel compelled to return to
Activity
their family because they have no other income source. Therefore it is
(IGA)
vitally important to set up a sustainable livelihood for survivors who are
vulnerable. 7 women survivors and 2 men survivors received IGA support
in 2015.
The District Acid Control Committee (DACC) has a special provision of grant
Financial aid to provide financial support to acid survivors for medical treatment and
from District socio-economic rehabilitation. The National Acid Control Council (NACC)
Acid Control under the Ministry of Home Affairs disburses the money to DACCs. ASF
with the help of partner NGOs continues to advocate for distribution of
Committee
DACC funds. DACC fund of 2,70000 was distributed to 77 women survivors
(DACC)
and 18 mem survivors in Shatkhira, Comilla, Mymensingh, Sherpur,
Advocacy Bagerhut and Tangail.
Loan from
Survivors are eligible to receive soft loans from the Department of Social
Department
Services to start small businesses. ASF provides support to survivors to
of access this loan. DSS granted loan of 1 lac and 30 thousand taka in 2015 for
Social 7 women survivors.
Services
State-owned lands (Khas Land) are normally distributed to the vulnerable
and landless people by the government. ASF provides necessary support to
survivors to access this khas land and other government facilities including
VGF/VGD card and disabled allowance.
Khas Land
1 women survivors were incorporated into the monthly disability
and other allowance scheme and 1 women survivor was incorporated into the
Government stipend for disabled students. Total of 31 women survivors received
support VGD/VGF cards from local union parishad. 1 woman received 10000 taka
grant from the district Commissioner Office and 1 man survivor received
special grant of 50000 taka from the Prime Minister’s Office.
Community Based Reintegration Support
Community Meetings
ASF conducts meetings to engage community elites and members to contribute in creating a safe
and supportive environment to enable the survivors to reintegrate into their families and
communities. A total of 3942 women and 3295 men survivors attended 213 community meetings
in 2015.
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Door to Door Visit
Survivors working as ambassadors in six selected districts visit households of other survivors in that
district to provide peer support and to assess their needs. It includes legal, medical and/or psycho-
social support. A total of 970 door to door visits were conducted in 2015.
Community Clinic
Community clinics are where professionals provide legal, medical and/or psycho-social support to
meet the survivors’ needs identified in the door to door visits. 24 community clinics were
organized in 6 districts in 2015.
Telephonic Follow up
ASF Medical and Program staffs along with Program Officers and Survivor Ambassadors working in
six selected districts continue to provide advice and emotional support over phone as required .
Group Meetings
There are 29 survivor groups in eight districts who meet every month and these meetings act as a
forum where survivors share their struggles and problems and identify possible solutions. These
groups provide a community based support system for 395 acid survivors engaged in various local
level activities including meeting with community members and local government for survivors’
psychological support. ASF held 241 group meetings in 2015.
DEVELOPING SURVIVORS TO BECOME CHANGE AGENTS
After ASF was established in 1999 the organization played an instrumental role in mobilizing civil
society and government to ensure the state’s obligation to prevent acid violence and protect the
rights of survivors. In 2010 ASF started developing survivors at community level to act as change
agents to influence the government, civil society and community to be more accountable to the
rights of acid survivors. Twelve change agents have been working in six districts raising awareness
on acid violence as well as advocating for survivors’ protection and rights through mobilizing
government, media, civil society and community elites .Since 2006 ASF has arranged survivors’
conferences at the national and district levels to create an opportunity for survivors to meet, share
any issues and concerns and celebrate their achievements. These forums have enhanced solidarity
among the survivors and empowered them to raise a collective voice for their rights. This
experience has identified the need to establish a sustainable support system for survivors at the
community level. In 2012 survivors’ groups were developed to function as a platform for collective
voices to demand justice, protect rights, and advocate for social change. There are currently 29
groups in 8 districts. These groups encompass 395 survivors engaged in various local level activities
including monthly group meeting and meeting with the local community for survivors’ psychosocial
support. The groups are not only addressing issues pertaining to acid violence but group members
are also involved in resolving other social issues. Moreover, all the groups have started a monthly
savings schemes for its sustainability. Some group leaders have taken further initiatives of
mediation to address violence against women, dowry related disputes and early marriage in their
communities.
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Legal Support Services
To address the gruesome act of acid violence the Government of Bangladesh introduced two acts
in 2002; the ‘Acid-Offences Prevention Act 2002’ and the ‘Acid Control Act 2002’. A National Acid
Control Council and Acid Crime Case Monitoring Cell were also established under the Ministry of
Home Affairs to regularly monitor acid crime cases and ensure effective implementation of the
Acts. While these initiatives have contributed to the institutionalization of action against acid
violence, ineffective implementation of the laws remains to be ASF’s biggest challenge in ensuring
justice for survivors of acid violence.
A report of Acid Crime Case Monitoring Cell, Police headquarters states that, there are about 59
number of cases were filed, 34 charge sheets and 25 file reports are prepared related to acid
violence in 2015 whereas 34 cases are under trial.8
ASF always communicate with survivors and their family and community members, police
authorities including Deputy commissioners, Superintendents of Police (SP), Offices in Charge
(OCs), Investigation Officers(IOs), national and local government organizations, Public Prosecutors
(PPs), media personnel to follow up on cases and facilitate effective coordination from all different
stakeholder.
Partnership
In 2014 ASF activated the Legal Advisory Group for a collaborative approach that focuses on
providing comprehensive legal aid support to survivors of acid violence. The Group consists of
partner organizations dedicated to protecting and promoting human rights of poor and
marginalized groups in Bangladesh.
brac
Ain o Salish Kendra (ASK)
Naripokkho
Bangladesh National Women Lawyers Association (BNWLA)
Jatiya Mahila Shangstha
Bangladesh Society for Enforcement of Human Rights (BSEHR)
Bangladesh Legal Aid and Services Trust (BLAST)
Challenges:
In many cases where verdicts against the perpetrators were death sentence or life imprisonment in
lower courts, the perpetrators received bail, were acquitted or got a lesser sentence from higher
courts
Community elites often pressure survivors to settle or withdraw the case.
In majority of cases it is very difficult to ensure witnesses to testify mainly for security concerns.
As a result of delays in the count proceedings survivors are often unable to bear the cost to
continue the case.
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Achievement
44 cases have been referred to ASF’s legal aid partners. ASF’s legal aid partners have engaged
panel lawyers to represent the survivor and are closely monitoring the cases.
115 survivors received legal advice.
20 medical certificates have been issued from ASF Hospital.
ASF doctors or advocate appeared in court 5 times to testify before the tribunal
Verdicts were given in 5 cases under Acid Tribunals in Gaibandha, Netrokona, Jessore, Sirajgonj and
Rangpur.
Capacity Development
In 2015, ASF organized four days long leadership training on gender, gender based violence, right
based approach and advocacy for 22 women survivors.
ASF organized three days long participatory action research workshop with survivor group members
in Sirajgonj, satkhira, Dinajpur, Mymenshingh , Narshigndi and Bogra in 2015.
ASF provided six month long computer training program to 5 survivors
3 survivors were also engaged in ASF’s Pressure Garment Unit.
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According to Runa Laila, there are about 15 acid survivors are working as officers in this
organization.
Advocacy and Awareness Raising
Over the last sixteen years ASF has been focusing its prevention campaigns on raising awareness
on acid violence and its legal and social consequences. In recent years ASF has widened its focus to
build awareness on the root causes of acid violence. ASF has observed that acid throwing is used in
a wide range of context from land and domestic dispute to sexual harassment. ASF’s prevention
campaigns focuses on raising awareness on the multiple causes and consequences of acid attacks
and the immediate steps that should be taken to minimize the detrimental effect of acid. ASF’s
awareness raising initiatives target youth, families, communities, government and civil society.
In 2013 the Government took initiatives to disseminate promotional materials developed by ASF on private
and public TV channel free or cost. As a result in 2015 many public and private TV and radio channels
broadcasted messages on legal consequences of acid violence and the importance of using water on burn
injuries caused by acid. ASF also arranged four talk shows in 2015 on Skin Bank and pressure Garment,
Psychological support, legal support, stigma and disfigurement. The talk shows helped to raise important
issues for policy and decision makers.
Acid Survivors Foundation of Bangladesh rally in Dhaka, including about 600 acid-attack victims
from Bangladesh, India, Pakistan and Uganda at the time of attending the conference.
Acid Survivors Foundation arranges community programs, community leader orientation
workshop, mobilizing communities, dialogue with local administration, influencing policy makers
and dialogue with stakeholders for effective implementation of two acid related acts. They also
take school based initiatives. In 2015, ASF conducted 217 school campaigns to motivate students
to take active roles to preventing acid violence, to sensitize the youth on the social rehabilitation of
victims and to encourage students to be supportive to survivors with 14261 students and teachers.
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Achievement
The work of ASF has been recognized by the international bodies like Buckingham Palace, Amnesty
International, World Health Organisation (WHO), Americans for UNFPA (the United Nations Population
Fund), UN Human Rights Council and the World’s Children’s Prize Foundation which is considered as
children’s Nobel Prize.
World Children Prize - 2011 2011 Human Rights Prize of the Democracy Watch has awarded the
French Republic Executive Director of Acid Survivors
Foundation, Ms. Monira Rahman
as a women achiever-2011 for her
dedicated humanitarian work for
acid survivors.
Seeing the success of Bangladesh many country like Pakistan, India, Nepal, Cambodia and Uganda have
also taken similar initiatives to combat acid violence. ASF runs a 20-bed licensed hospital specialized for
acid and burn violence victims, which is fully equipped for standard burn care services including plastic
and reconstructive surgery, though in a very low-resourced set up. Since an overwhelming majority of
the victims are impoverished, the ASF Hospital offers completely free services benefitting around 700
acid victims annually (including survivors from previous years).
ASF has provided treatment, education and rehabilitation opportunities to a large number of survivors.
Many victims are now professionally active in ASF itself and beyond. Survivors are represented in the
governing body of ASF. They are now in leading positions in ASF management and program
implementation. ASF has also transformed many ‘survivors’ into ‘survivor ambassadors’ who function
as a platform for a collective voice to demand justice, protect rights, and act as an agent for prevention
and integration into family and the society. Victim of an acid attack living in remote rural places now
have access to psychosocial support from these ‘survivor ambassadors’.
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Students from Department of Criminology, University of Dhaka with 3 Acid Survivors-
Tahmina Islam (Program officer, ASF), Md. Shamim, Md. Runa Laila (PR Councilor, ASF)
Photo Courtesy-Md. Israfeel Miah
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Story-1 Runa Laila (PR Councilor, ASF)
Home District : Sirajgonj
Current Age: 35
The incident of acid throwing was happened in the Runa Laila’s life on 16 April, 1998 when she was
only a student of Intermediate level. A boy’s family in their village gives marriage proposal to her
family and the boy’s family was powerful in the village. However Runa refused the proposal
because she does not want to be got married before completing higher education. The boy’s family
became angry. The boy took revenge by throwing acid on her face for refusing marriage proposal.
During the night of the incident, Runa was sleeping beside the window of her room with all her
family members. The window was open and the door was closed but unlocked. The hurricane light
was dim. The boy poured acid on her face when she was sleeping. Before doing this, the criminal
locked the door from outside of the victim and other nearer houses of the victim so that victim
cannot seek help from neighbors and even cannot go outside for using water on the affected face.
Runa started shouting due to extreme burning sensations and pain. Everyone could hear her
shouting but cannot go to their house as their door were also locked from outside. A man heard
their sound and broke the door of Runa Laila’s house. She was taken to Sirajgonj Sadar Hospital at
first. She stayed and took treatment there for 29 days. Then she was referred to Dhaka Medical
College. She did not get any opportunity of staying on a bed. She along with her family members
were staying in Shahid Minar for 3 days. After 3 days she found a seat in ward. Then she had to
stay DMC for 6 months. Her elder brother’s wife sold her ornaments to meet the treatment
expenses.
The social reaction to Tahmina was pathetic. No marriage proposal was got and people also discuss
it behind them but Tahmina did not lose hope. She completed undergraduate on Sociology and
Social Welfare from People’s University. She got married in 2000 and now she has a daughter. Her
husband is a headmaster of primary school.
They filed the cases to local police station but the court said them that they assumed the
perpetrator but they do not see him on that night. The perpetrator’s family create pressure on
withdrawing case against their boy. Minister Nasim, Latif Mirja gave shelter to the perpetrator and
he ran away abroad.
In 2001, Nasrin Haque from Naripakkha took her in Dhaka and she took training in Acid Survivors
Foundation (ASF) and now she is working as PR for 9 years in ASF. She visits various hospital for
public relations and gives mental support to other survivors.
Runa Laila is not frustrated now and has become more confident after receiving training but the
perpetrator did not get any punishment for such heinous crime for political power. So she is
unsatisfied in justice system and politics of the country.
According to Annual Report 2015 by ASF, 9% women acid victims are victimized due to refusal of
marriage proposal.
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Story-2 Tahmina Islam (Program Officer, ASF)
Home District: Noakhali
Tahmina was victimized along with her friend and the perpetrator was her friend’s ex-boyfriend.
Both of they were working as medical assistants at Sylhet. Tahmina’s friend did not continue
relationship with the perpetrator. One day they were going to rickshaw and suddenly that boy
threw acid to them. Her friend lost one eye along with whole face was affected. Tahmina’s face
was also disfigured but she does not lose eye sight.
They were taken to Osmani Medical College and after 5 days of staying there, BRAC communicates
with them and they create a link with Acid Survivors Foundation (ASF).
Two organizations - Naripakkha and Smile Again jointly help her to go to Italy for improved
treatment in 2000.
In 2003, she joined ASF as Program Officer and is working in this organization for 13 years. She
goes for district based working through door to door visit, mange case and medical treatments of
survivors.
The perpetrator was staying in jail for 8 months and then he got bail and went to India. On 2010,
the court gave life sentence to the perpetrator but police does not found the offender. Police
thought that he ran way abroad.
Story-3 Md. Shamim
Home District: Sirajgonj
Md. Shamim was a bus driver of Bogura to Sirajgonj route. He has friendship with an married
woman but his husband thought that it was an illegal affair. The woman’s husband was an Awami-
League leader of his area. The man was in the inferiority complex for misunderstanding.
That Awami-League leader built up a close friendship with Shamim. One day, that Awami-league
leader got up his bus from Bogura saying that he would go to Pabna. The leader said him to go to
an Area named Talgasi. It was midnight and no passenger except that leader was in the bus. He
wanted to talk with Shamim personally and so he took him in a calm place. Then he poured acid on
Shamim’s mouth. Shamim ran away from the place to save his life and took shelter in a house near
the incident area. He expressed to the members of the house what had happened with him. They
used egg as first aid treatment. Then he went to Sirajgonj Sadar Hospital and then he knew from
doctors that it was acid. He took treatment for 6 months.
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The case was filed against that AL leader but that leader gave huge amount of bribe to witnesses,
lawyers and police. So, they request him to withdraw the case. Shamim was also thinking about his
old parents and other family members. No relatives of him came forward to help him. At last,
Shamim has to compromise and has to withdraw the case.
Discussion
If we observe the 3 cases, we can identify their reason of criminal victimization.
Absence of Proper Guardianship:
Guardianship means social controls or social groups and situations that prevent or decrease
opportunities of crime. If we observe 3 cases we can observe the absence of proper guardianship
in our society. The duty of preventing crime relates to leaders, judiciary and law enforcement of
our society but the political leaders give privilege or shelter the criminals or they involve in
committing crime through the misuse of their power.
Corruption is another reason of obstacle in getting justice and it weakens the guardianship of the
society. If the survivors file the case against that perpetrator, the criminal gave huge amount of
bribe to witnesses, lawyers and police. So, they request him to withdraw the case. So, an element
of guardianship, law enforcement cannot function properly for corruption and is failure to control
crime.
Poverty:
Poverty is also another reason for criminal victimization. The low income is responsible for poverty,
For low income, people are not able to live in highly secured area as these place are expensive to
them. Most of the acid survivors are fighting with poverty. They are irritated by powerful people
of the society. Their living place is not highly secured that may protect them from criminal
victimization. They cannot live in high secured houses for low income and poverty.
For Example: In Case study 1, Runa Laila lived in village during the time of incident. They were poor
and there was no electricity facility in her house. So they open their window for air passing and the
perpetrator easily attacked her.
In a word, there are poverty and lack of proper guardianship and morality are responsible for acid
violence in our country. Acid Survivors Foundation is working strongly for reducing the
victimization of acid violence rate. They provide free medical facilities, legal and rehabilitation
services to show new life and hope. A lot of acid survivors are coming back to society for leading
normal life. Sometimes they are social icons to others. To prevent this heinous crime, we should
give proper attention to build up our moral and social values, reconstruct our conscience, gender
equality and should broaden our outlook. Besides, the monitoring system on corruption and
amounts of using acid should be stricter to control acid violence.
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References
1. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3479355/Smiling-scars-inspirational-photographs-acid-
attack-survivors-gathering-conference-pledge-rise-win-battle-against-acid-violence.html
2. www.acidsurvivors.org
3. www.asfi.in
4. www.acidsurvivorspakistan.org
5. www.acidsurvivorsug.org
6. http://www.acidsurvivors.org/Statistics
7. http://www.acidsurvivors.org/Supporters
8. Annual Report 2015- Acid Survivors Foundation
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