A human chain was held in the city yesterday protesting sexual assault against women and children. Nari Pakkha and Barishal Mahila Kalyan Sangstha organised the programme in front of Barishal Ashwini Kumar Hall in the city. It was presided over by Kohinur Begum, councilor of Barishal City Corporation. The speakers and participants quoting statistics from different newspapers said in last six months at least 630 women were violated and among them 153 were victims of gang-rape.

Besides, 37 were murdered and 7 victims committed suicides after being raped in the country during this period. Rape was attempted against 105 women and one of them committed suicide and another was murdered. Eight out of 127 women victimised of stalking committed suicide and 3 women and 2 men killed for protesting such crimes, they said.