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Study/Research on risk and vulnerability assessment of online sexual harassment and exploitation of children and youth group

Background

From January 2019 to October 2019, 1509 children in Bangladesh have become the victim of physical and sexual violence and 396 of them died (ASK Documentation Unit).Child sexual exploitation in varied forms is in fact increasing as per media reports. For the past fifteen years, 7000 children got in the one stop crisis center and 80% of them are the victim of rape and sexual violence (Prothom Alo, 9 August 2015). UNICEF in 2014 found in their study “Sexual Abuse and Exploitation of Boys in Bangladesh” that “Children of all age groups experience sexual abuse. Even the pre-school children are no less vulnerable.”  A survey by the Bangladesh Institute of Development Studies, estimated the number of street children in Bangladesh to be around 380,000 - of whom 55% are in Dhaka city. These children become prime targets of sexual abuse, exploitation and trafficking. In Dhaka, Rajshahi and Satkhira, we identified number of cases of sexual abuse and exploitation of boys. To understand the whole scenario it is needed to be verified by an in-depth research.  In case of girls, the issue has not been sufficiently addressed because child sexual abuse is hardly talked about due to social stigma.

Recently, online sexual exploitation of children has appeared as serious concern. 69% girls are using internet from level eight to twelve class and 83% girls are active on social media, like, facebook, viber, Emo, Instagram etc. (The Daily Prothom Alo, 2nd June’2017). 73% of the internet users are the victim of cybercrime. Most of the crime spots are social media. At this moment, about 6 hundred million and 70 lacks people are using internet which is 40% of total population in Bangladesh (The Daily Prothom Alo 27th March’2017). From 2013 to April of 2017, 74 incidents have been reported and only 50% cases were filed. 31.08% victims are from age limit of 13 to 19. 27 criminals arrested out of 36.49%. 71.62% victims did not mention their age. These data have been collected from only print newspapers. UNICEF surveyed 1,281 children from different schools, colleges and madrasas and found that 25 percent of them accessed the digital world as early as 11.Furthermore, 63 percent of the children use their own room as primary internet usage point and there is no openness to see children’s online activities. Worth to mention that, 70 percent of the boys and 44 percent of the girls accept unknown people as their “online friends”, risking their safety.63 percent Boys are ahead of 48 percent girls in terms of high frequency online access and use. Chatting online and watching videos are the two most frequent internet activities, with 33 percent of the child users chat online and 30 percent watch videos daily. Cyber bullying can cause serious damage as it reaches a wide audience fairly quickly leading children to psycho-social disorder. They are also more children likely to receive poor grades, experience low self-esteem and develop health problems. In extreme situations, cyber bullying has even led to suicide.

In order to prohibit these criminal offences, the Parliament has enacted Pornography Control Act, 2012. The Act has a dedicated section on child pornography and a person accused of pornographic act (recording, pictures with a child being filmed) liable to get punishment of 10 years imprisonment together with taka .5 million (US$ 6250) fine. Recently, The Digital Security Act 2018 has been passed by the government on 19 September 2018. Even though the said act deals with some of cybercrimes that includes online sexual harassment in a generic way but no special provision for children, be it the victim or perpetrator.

Purpose/Objective

To identify the possible risk, magnitude of the problem, trend of violence, opportunities, and challenges in the prevention and elimination of online child sex related violence, abuse, and exploitation.

The Specific Objectives of the Risk and vulnerability assessment/research study will be:

  • To discuss both the risk, vulnerabilities and opportunities associated to the use of ICTs by children;
  • To assess the potential of legal  instruments, policies and measures at the national, regional and international levels to assist in preventing and combating the online violence, abuse, exploitation of children with the participation of  children and the  involvement of civil society and the business sector;
  • To recommend measures to develop and implement an enabling inclusive and safe digital environment for children;
  • To assess the awareness level of target people regarding  the issues;
  • To establish variable and comparable study information to establish some benchmarks useful to measure progress and result;

The Specific Objective of the trend analysis on online sexual exploitation will be:

  • To identify trends and responds to new forms of exploitative behaviors on digital platforms
  • To identify the potential danger of children in the internet world.

Indicators for baseline survey

The consultant(s) will identify and propose a set of indicators considering the above objectives and logical framework of the programme. Formulation of indicators should include both quantitative and qualitative change. The consultant (s) will also propose a clear methodology for sampling and data collection. ASK will provide background information and necessary support to the consultant (s) as per demand to finalized study/research indicators and risk and vulnerability assessment.

Methodological guidelines

The consultant(s) shallfollow scientifically appropriate methodology to address the issues of the study. The methodology and relevant tools will be finalized in consultation with ASK and also to explore if any existing baseline and trend analysis are already there before administering fieldwork. 

Scope of work

The consultant (s) will be responsible to collect and review reference documents, develop methodology, develop and test data collection instruments, mobilize and train enumerators, manage field level data collection, undertake data entry and compilation, data analysis, report preparation and presentation of the final outcome. The consultant will finalized the report after taking feedback from ASK and its partners and other stakeholders that may be considered appropriate.

Survey area

Study will be conducted in the working area covering like Dhaka, Rajshahi and Satkhira.

Deliverables

  • Research plan
  • Data Collection Instruments
  • A draft report prepared and presented to ASK
  • Five hard copies with a soft copy of the final report and all primary area-wise raw data and information (preferably in SPSS) including photographs.

Team Composition

An external consultant/consultancy firm will be engaged to conduct the risk and vulnerability assessment along with his/her research team. The consultant/consultancy firm will closely work with representatives from ASK and partners.  The assessment will be supervised by the Team Leader, Child Rights Unit, ASK in close coordination with Executive Director. Regular meetings will be held between the consultant and ASK team members.

Duration

This assignment of risk and vulnerability assessment to be done by 35 working days from the date of signing the contract.

Arbitration

If there any dispute relating to interpretation of the terms or any matter concerning the subject matter of this Agreement, the parties shall settle such dispute amicably through negotiation. If such negotiation fails, both the parties shall appoint an arbitrator on mutual understanding and his/ her decision shall be final and binding upon the parties.

Child Protection Policy:

The firm/organization/individual shall comply with the Child Protection Policy of ASK. Any violation/deviation is in complying with ASK's child protection policy will result in termination of the agreement. 

Taxes & Duties

  • VAT and Tax will be deducted at sources as per Government rules.

General Terms and Conditions

  • ASK  reserve the right to accept or reject any proposal without giving any verbal and/or written rationale;
  • All reports and documents prepared during the assignment will be treated as ASK property;
  • The reports/documents or any part, therefore, cannot be sold, used and reproduced in any manner without prior written approval of  ASK;
  • ASK or its representatives reserve the right to monitor the quality and progress of the work during the assignment.
  • Terrorism and money laundering issues: If there any proof of engagement in any terrorism and money laundering issues, ASK reject the proposal without assigning any reason

How to Apply:

The individual / firm must submit the following documents along with technical and financial proposal (including vat & tax) the financial proposal should include 15% vat only. ASK will deduct 10% income tax at source from the agreed consultancy amount. The proposal should be in English. The technical and financial proposal should be submitted in two separate envelopes. These two envelopes are then to be put in one larger envelope which must be sealed with a cover letter addressing the Executive Director, Ain o Salish Kendra, 2/16, Block-B, Lalmatia, Dhaka-120, and Bangladesh. The proposal to be submitted at ASK office not later than 17th December, 2019.