Legal Aid | Ain o Salish Kendra(ASK)

Litigation Activities – April 2026

admin — Sun, 10 May 2026 06:03:14 +0000

In April 2026, Ain o Salish Kendra (ASK) continued to represent victims and legal aid seekers before the courts. During the reporting period, court dates were scheduled for cases related to family disputes, violence against women and children, criminal offences and other legal matters involving ASK clients. During the month, 3 new cases were filed on behalf of victims. A total of 188 cases were handled, of which 178 were family cases, 7 involved violence against women and children and 3 were criminal cases. In these cases, ASK lawyers undertook necessary legal actions, including filing cases, court appearances, hearings, follow-ups, recording witness testimony, cross-examination and presenting arguments to ensure effective legal representation and progress of the cases through EngageNow project.

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ASK’s Legal Aid Services – April 2026

admin — Sun, 10 May 2026 05:06:19 +0000

During the period, Ain o Salish Kendra (ASK) handled 261 registrations who seek legal aid, including 225 females and 36 males, with several survivors from marginalised. Of these cases, 216 were addressed through the Mediation Unit and 45 through the Litigation Unit. The Unit registered 22 new survivors, conducted 18 mediation sessions, followed up with 18 survivors and provided legal advice to 93 individuals. Referred to other organization 19 survivors. Helpline services were extended to 140 survivors; rapid response support was provided in 15 cases and counselling services were offered to 1. Recovered dower and maintenance (including children) of taka 12, 21,340/ (Twelve lac twenty-one thousand three hundred and forty taka) through mediation. 18 Talak-E-Tawfiz executed one. Moreover, at field level 30 clients were registered, including 10 male and 20 female clients. 8 female survivors received assessments. 6 new legal cases were initiated by HRLF and 2 mediation initiatives were conducted during April 2026. These activities were implemented under the EngageNow project, part of the Nagorikata: Civic Engagement Fund (CEF) programme, with support from the Embassy of Switzerland, Global Affairs Canada (GAC) and European Union (EU).

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Case Identification and Rapid Response Meeting on Child Sexual Abuse and Exploitation

admin — Tue, 05 May 2026 08:29:32 +0000

On 5 April 2026, Ain o Salish Kendra (ASK) organised a meeting in its Dhaka project area under the Speak-Up! project to strengthen the identification and follow-up of online and offline cases of sexual abuse and exploitation of children and youth. The meeting brought together selected community leaders, youth representatives and members of civil society organisations (CSOs). The discussion focused on mechanisms for identifying cases of abuse and ensuring rapid response and support services for survivors, including psychosocial support, legal assistance, mediation and case management. The Speak-Up! project is strategically implemented by Ain o Salish Kendra (ASK) with support from the European Union and technical assistance from Terre des Hommes Netherlands.

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ASK’s Legal Aid Services –March 2026

admin — Tue, 31 Mar 2026 10:02:07 +0000

During the period, Ain o Salish Kendra (ASK) handled 181 registrations, including 151 females and 30 males, with several survivors from marginalised groups and 1 person with a disability. Of these cases, 143 were addressed through the Mediation Unit and 38 through the Litigation Unit. The Unit registered 18 new survivors, conducted 7 mediation sessions, followed up with 6 survivors and provided legal advice to 39 individuals. Thirteen survivors were referred to other organisations. Helpline services were extended to 121 survivors; rapid response support was provided in 20 cases; counselling services were offered to 1 person and couple therapy was provided to 1 couple. A total of BDT 1,48,480 was recovered as dower and maintenance (including for children) through mediation. ASK is also providing legal aid services across six districts at the grassroots level. In the field, a total of 22 survivors of sexual and gender-based violence received necessary support services, including medical, psychosocial and legal assistance. Among them, 20 were female and 2 were male. ASK’s co-implementing partners supported survivors as follows: OWDEB (8) in Chattogram, ACD (5) in Rajshahi, MPS (3) in Tangail, AVASH (3) in Barisal, SoDESH (2) in Satkhira and ASED (1) in Habiganj. A total of 19 individuals received assessments and legal advice. Two new legal cases were initiated by HRLF, 4 clients were referred to appropriate services, 3 emergency responses were delivered and 1 mediation session was conducted in the project working areas. These activities were implemented under the EngageNow project, part of the Nagorikata: Civic Engagement Fund (CEF) programme, with support from the Embassy of Switzerland, Global Affairs Canada (GAC) and the European Union (EU).

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ASK’s Legal Aid Services –February 2026

admin — Mon, 02 Mar 2026 03:34:09 +0000

During the period, Ain o Salish Kendra (ASK) handled 161 registrations, including 134 females and 27 males, with several survivors from marginalised and persons with disabilities groups. Of these cases, 134 were addressed through the Mediation Unit and 27 through the Litigation Unit. The Unit registered 17 new survivors, conducted 10 mediation sessions, followed up with 6 survivors and provided legal advice to 34 individuals. Helpline services were extended to 100 survivors; rapid response support was provided in 7 cases and counselling services were offered to 5 survivors and offered couple therapy to 2 couples. Recovered dower and maintenance (including children) of taka 1,13,500/ (One lac thirteen thousand and five hundred) through mediation. At the field level, a total of 20 new clients were registered across partner organisations (AVAS-3, OWDEB-4, MPS-2, ACD-7, ASED-1, soDesh-3) at Barishal, Chattogram, Tangail, Rajshahi, Habiganj and Satkhira districts. A total of 4 new legal cases were initiated under the HRLF mechanism, with ASED filing 1 case and soDesh filing 3 cases. A total of 5 emergency responses were delivered during the reporting period (Owdeb-1, AVAS-1, MPS-1, soDesh-2). A total of 3 mediation sessions were conducted at the field level, all facilitated by MPS. These activities were implemented under the EngageNow project, part of the Nagorikata: Civic Engagement Fund (CEF) programme, with support from the Embassy of Switzerland, Global Affairs Canada (GAC) and European Union (EU).

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ASK’s Legal Aid Services –January 2026

admin — Mon, 02 Feb 2026 04:03:27 +0000

During the period, Ain o Salish Kendra (ASK) handled 206 registrations, including 170 females and 36 males, with several survivors from marginalised and persons with disabilities groups. Of these cases, 164 were addressed through the Mediation Unit and 42 through the Litigation Unit. The Unit registered 20 new survivors, conducted 17 mediation sessions, followed up with 8 survivors and provided legal advice to 46 individuals. Helpline services were extended to 120 survivors; rapid response support was provided in 9 cases and counselling services were offered to 7 survivors and offered couple therapy to 3. Recovered dower and maintenance (including children) of taka 5, 29,900/ (Five lac twenty-nine thousand and nine hundred) through mediation. At field level, a total of 46 clients were registered, 3 new cases were formally initiated and handled by HRLF, 5 emergency response interventions, 16 mediation sessions and 2 RTI applications and formal petitions/complaints were submitted to the NHRC and other relevant authorities. Partner Organisations ( SODESH, AVAS ,OWDEB, ACD, ASED and MPS) engaged directly with communities to identify register individuals, explain available services and secure informed consent. These activities were implemented under the EngageNow project, part of the Nagorikata: Civic Engagement Fund (CEF) programme, with support from the Embassy of Switzerland and Global Affairs Canada (GAC).

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Referral to Relevant Organisations

admin — Fri, 30 Jan 2026 05:30:39 +0000

The ‘EngageNow’ project made two referrals to appropriate external organisations during January to ensure clients received specialised services beyond the project’s direct scope. Referrals were based on assessed needs and aimed at providing comprehensive support through coordinated service delivery. Field teams maintained communication with partner organisations to facilitate smooth handover and follow-up. This referral mechanism enhanced inter-organisational collaboration and avoided duplication of services. By linking clients with competent service providers, the project ensured continuity of care and maximized impact. Referral activities also strengthened local service networks and reinforced a survivor- and client-centered approach, ensuring that individuals received timely and appropriate assistance.

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ASK’s Legal Aid Services –December 2025

admin — Sun, 25 Jan 2026 06:47:50 +0000

During the period, Ain o Salish Kendra (ASK) handled 213 cases, primarily through mediation (177) and litigation (36), supporting survivors including women, marginalised groups and persons with disabilities. ASK registered 15 new survivors, conducted 6 mediation sessions and provided legal advice to 52 individuals. Helpline services reached 130 survivors, with 6 rapid responses and 3 counselling services delivered. One mediation resulted in an open divorce (Khola Talaq), with BDT 1,72,950 paid as dower. At the field level, ASK registered 21 survivors, conducted 22 survivor assessments, provided 2 emergency responses and arranged 7 mediation cases involving 43 individuals. Through the Human Rights Legal Fund (HRLF), 1 new case was initiated, 10 survivors received continuous legal support and 3 survivors were assisted through referral and linkage mechanisms. These interventions were implemented under the EngageNow Project of the Nagorikata: Civic Engagement Fund (CEF), supported by the Embassy of Switzerland and Global Affairs Canada (GAC).

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Identification of SEC Cases by CBCPC Members

admin — Thu, 22 Jan 2026 06:48:19 +0000

In December 2025, members of the Community-Based Child Protection Committees (CBCPC) identified a total of 4 child protection cases across different upazilas of Satkhira district. Among these, 3 cases involved Sexual Exploitation of Children (SEC), including sexual harassment and kidnapping, while 1 case related to the prevention of child marriage. In addition, 3 SEC cases were referred by CBCPC members and Change Agent Group members to the One-Stop Crisis Centre (OCC), Satkhira for further support and intervention. ASK is implementing the SUFASEC Project in Satkhira to protect children from sexual exploitation and to strengthen local child protection mechanisms.

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Identification of SEC Cases by CBCPC Members

admin — Tue, 02 Dec 2025 06:16:50 +0000

In November 2025, members of the Community-Based Child Protection Committees (CBCPC) identified 7 child protection cases across different unions under Tala, Kalaroa and Satkhira Sadar upazilas. Of these, 6 cases involved Sexual Exploitation of Children (SEC), including physical abuse, sexual harassment and cyberbullying, while 1 case related to the prevention of child marriage. The identification of these cases reflects enhanced community awareness, vigilance and the growing capacity of CBCPC members to detect and respond to child protection concerns at the community level. Ain o Salish Kendra (ASK) continues to strengthen community-based child protection systems through capacity building, case identification and referral support, ensuring confidentiality and survivor-centred responses in all interventions.

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