41 children self-reported abuse in September, says Social Ministry

In September, 41 cases of child abuse were self-reported by children themselves, according to data released by the Ministry of Social and Family Development.

The ministry recorded a total of 241 child-related cases during the month.

Of the 1,770 calls received by the ministry’s reporting channels:

• 1,370 cases were reported by adults

• 41 cases were reported by children

• 389 cases were reported anonymously

2025 ވަނަ އަހަރުގެ ސެޕްޓެންބަރު މަހުގައި އިޖުތިމާޢީ އަދި ޢާއިލީ ތަރައްޤީއާ ބެހޭ ވުޒާރާއަށް ރިޕޯޓުކޮށްފައިވާ މައްސަލަތަކުގެ ތަފާސްހިސާބުތައް. pic.twitter.com/N4sNqfpq7i

— Ministry of Social and Family Development (@MSFDmv) October 28, 2025

The most frequently reported issue was child neglect, with 32 cases, most involving girls. This was followed by:

• 23 cases of sexual abuse

• 19 cases of physical abuse

• 11 cases of psychological abuse

• 7 cases of abuse in the presence of children

• 4 cases of bullying

• 2 cases of blackmail

Child abuse remains a persistent issue in Maldivian society, with reports of child sexual abuse continuing to rise. Many individuals convicted of such crimes remain incarcerated, and a government website has been launched to provide public access to information about offenders.