Dhaka, June 17 -- A Chattogram court has described child sexual abuse as not only a grave violation of rights but an "attack on the moral foundation of society", while delivering its verdict in a rape case involving a 3-and-a-half-year-old girl in Bakalia.

Chattogram Metropolitan Children Repression Prevention Tribunal Judge Sayeda Hafsa Jhuma, in her observations on Wednesday, termed the offence a heinous crime against humanity.

She said such acts inflict severe physical harm while also damaging a child's mental development, self-confidence and ability to lead a normal life.

Describing children as the most vulnerable and vital part of society, the judge stressed that ensuring their safety is a shared responsibility of the state, famil...