The number of rape incidents in September this year was highest in any single month since 2010, said a report of Bangladesh Mahila Parishad on Wednesday.

A total of 232 rape incidents took place in September and 19 of the victims were gang-raped while the number was 169 in August. Rape attempts were made on at least 15 and 30 were harassed sexually, according to the report, the UNB reported.

Of the victims, 15 were murdered after rape, it said.

The report said a total of 521 females, including women, girls and children, fell victims to torture and violence last month whereas the number was 379 in the previous month.

The rights body blamed the culture of impunity, biasness of law enforcers and administration, social and political unrest, moral degradation and lack of awareness for the rise in violence against women.

It also found that over 41 women and girls were murdered in the month of September for various reasons, while 21 physically assaulted and 17 abducted.

Thirteen women were tortured for dowry and five of them died, the report mentioned.

A total of 19 women and girls were forced to commit suicide after being tortured while 29 died mysteriously, it said.

Around 42 incidents of child marriage took place while 41 others were saved in the month of September, the report said.