3 cases of child prostitution in Maldives in September

Gender Ministry says it conducted investigations into three cases of child prostitution which was filed with the office in September.

Records released by Gender Ministry shows 125 cases of child abuse was reported to the office in September.

It included three cases of commercial sexual exploitation of children, and one case of exploitation of a child.

The number of child abuse cases reported to Gender Ministry in September is higher than the number of cases reported in August – which stood at 101 cases.

The records show the most frequent form of child abuse reported to be negligence. Total 37 cases of negligence were reported in September.

Additional cases include; 27 cases of physical abuse, 24 cases of sexual abuse, 14 cases of exposure to domestic violence, 12 cases of emotional abuse, four cases of bullying and harassment by peers, and three cases of cyber bullying by peers.

Seven cases rights violations were reported in September; three cases of obstruction of education, two cases of preventing mandatory vaccination, one case of lack of access to ID card, passport and birth certificate, and one case of failure to register a birth.

OTHER CASES:

FAMILY ISSUES

26 family issues were reported to Gender Ministry in September; 12 parenting cases, eight custody or access cases, and six child maintenance cases.

JUVENILE DELINQUENCY

Six cases of juvenile delinquency were reported to Gender Ministry in September; one case of drug dealing, one case of drug abuse, one case of theft, and three cases involving other criminal offenses.

BEHAVIORAL PROBLEMS

14 cases of behavioral problems were reported to Gender Ministry in September; seven cases of refusal to attend school, three cases of running away from home, and four cases involving other behavioral problems.

GENDER BASED VIOLENCE/DOMESTIC VIOLENCE

41 cases of gender based violence and domestic violence were reported to Gender Ministry in September.

The most frequently reported such cases involved physical abuse. 12 cases of physical violence or abuse was reported during the period.

Other cases included; nine cases of emotional or verbal abuse, five cases of sexual abuse, five cases of negligence, three cases of economic or financial abuse, two cases of controlling behavior, two cases of sexual harassment, one case of rape, one case of intimidation, and one case of withholding or damaging property.

Meanwhile, 23 requests of state intervention for support and care to the elderly and persons with disabilities was made in September; 16 of which were requests for care to the elderly, and seven of which were requests of care for persons with disabilities.

The Gender Ministry also responded to nine cases of self-harming and suicidal behavior reported in September. It included one case of self-harming, three cases of suicidal behavior, and five cases of suicidal thoughts.