Bangladesh Police conduct first IJM-supported case, freeing six girls and six women

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, IJM’s Country Head in Bangladesh. “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.

Inside the Operation

Local sources alerted IJM about abuse at the massage parlour in late 2025. After confirming at least one minor was being exploited, IJM presented evidence to police. On December 10, a team of eight police officers, six IJM staff, and three survivor leaders from Anirban Survivor Voice entered the premises to bring victims to safety.

The traffickers had created a complex system of locks, and some suspects and victims escaped through air vents during the raid. Still, authorities apprehended six suspects and rescued 12 victims. Investigations revealed the parlour kept up to 20 women and girls on site, forcing them to serve five customers on weekdays and up to ten on weekends. Children were rotated daily to meet demand.

Victims were lured with false promises of jobs as receptionists or masseuses. Once inside, they were locked in, forced to wear revealing clothes, and photographed for customers. Even after rescue, many children insisted they were adults—a heartbreaking sign of psychological manipulation.

Pursuing Justice

IJM supported police in filing charges under the Prevention & Suppression of Human Trafficking Act and ensured survivor interviews were conducted sensitively. Bail petitions for the six suspects were rejected twice, and they remain in custody until at least January 2026. Survivors have been transferred to a Child Development Centre for age verification and care.

IJM will continue providing legal support and trauma-informed aftercare, working with authorities to assess survivors’ long-term needs.

A Turning Point for Bangladesh

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.