Victim Support Centers – A Lifeline for the Vulnerable in CHT

Restoring dignity, delivering justice, and rebuilding lives for survivors of gender-based violence in the Chittagong Hill Tracts

January 2, 2026

Sunlit white clinic with a blue health information sign; a person walks toward the entrance. — A Victim Support Center in the Chittagong Hill Tracts provides a safe, confidential space where survivors of gender-based violence can access counselling, medical, legal, and livelihood support under UNDP Bangladesh’s ERRD-CHT project, supported by Global Affairs Canada.

©UNDP Bangladesh

Gender-based violence in the Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) remains deeply entrenched. A survey by Manusher Jonno Foundation found that 44% of indigenous women experience multiple forms of domestic violence, with 33% facing physical abuse and 38% mental torture. These numbers underscore the urgent need for safe spaces and coordinated support systems for survivors.

During a visit by UNDP Bangladesh Resident Representative Stefan Liller, police officers support survivor-centred services at a Victim Support Center in the Chittagong Hill Tracts under the ERRD-CHT project, supported by Global Affairs Canada.

©UNDP Bangladesh

Victim Support Centers (VSCs), established under UNDP Bangladesh’s Ecosystems Restoration and Resilient Development in the Chittagong Hill Tracts (ERRD‑CHT) project, supported by the Global Affairs Canada, in partnership with the Hill District Councils and the police department, are addressing this need head-on. Designed as child-friendly and confidential spaces, VSCs provide psychological counseling, medical care, legal assistance, and livelihood support. Police officers managing these centers receive specialized training on gender-sensitive policing and GBV prevention, ensuring dignity and compassion in every interaction. Through community outreach and awareness campaigns, VSCs are breaking the silence and reinforcing a powerful message: every survivor has the right to safety and justice.

One such case is seven-year-old Bubly (a pseudonym), who was sexually assaulted in Bandarban in February 2025. Thanks to the swift intervention of the local VSC and the leadership of Sub-Inspector Nilufa Yasmin, Bubly received timely medical care, counseling, and legal support. Her family was protected from stigma and supported financially, while the accused was arrested with strong evidence. Today, Bubly has returned to school, reclaiming her childhood and inspiring hope for countless others. Her journey reflects the transformative role of VSCs in turning trauma into resilience and fear into justice.