Dhaka  - Bangladesh will begin providing special legal and physiological support for poor women and children who are victims of abuse and social injustice, officials said Tuesday.

Home Minister Sahara Khatun inaugurated a new centre in Dhaka where women and children victims of trafficking, acid attacks, rape, sexual harassments or domestic violence will get support around the clock.

"Victims will now be able to speak out their sorrows. It will eventually help find out the root causes of the violence and repression, and bring the perpetrator to justice," said Naba Bikram Kishor Trupura, an assistant inspector-general of police.

Tripura, who also oversees a United Nations-funded programme on police reform, said lack of privacy kept many victims from denouncing violence against them.

"Victims' statements will now help improve the police investigation as well," Tripura said.

Staffed by 17 female police officers and members of non-governmental organizations, the unit, officially called Victim Support Centre, will initially operate from the capital Dhaka.

It will gradually extend to six other divisional headquarters, the officials at the police headquarters said.

Ten human rights organizations will support the centre's operation as Bangladesh police generally lack skills on protection of human rights, officials said.

The centre, the first of its kind in Bangladesh, will also provide advice to the victims' families and work to create awareness among general masses.

Existing laws to deal with violence against women and children had little success in reducing the problem in Bangladeshi society.

Common gender crimes include early and forced marriage, beatings, dowry-related violence, rape, trafficking in women and forcing them into prostitution.

But in most cases the incidents go unreported, Bangladesh women's rights activists said. (dpa)