Stepfather arrested for abuse of 10-year old

The stepfather of 10-year old who was subject to sexual abuse from him has been arrested. 

The case was filed on July 1. Family members learned of the abuse due to the development of urine infection by the child. Medical officers who examined the child later reported the matter to police.

Police said that a 57-year old was arrested in connection with the incident reported from an island in the central region of the country. 

An individual that spoke with Sun from the island where the incident happened, said that the abuse may have begun around four years back. When the mother found out, she kept it a secret.

The number of sexual abuse crimes reported in the Maldives have recently increased significantly. Six cases have so far been lodged this month.

Notable recent cases involve the rape of a 17-year old girl on an island in the central region of the Maldives. The girl later became pregnant. A 37-year old was also recently arrested for the rape of an 18-year old who also became pregnant. Other cases include an 11-year old who was sexually abused in a guesthouse and a 16-year old who was abused after being blackmailed. A rape case involving a foreign victim was also reported in the Maldives on June 26.