Sexual abuse to a minor in northern island surfaces

A case of sexual abuse to a minor in a northern island of Maldives has surfaced.

Maldives Police Service on Thursday said they received report of sexual abuse to 13 year old minor, from one of the islands within Noonu, Raa, Baa and Lhaviyani atolls, earlier on May 19, 2024.

The authority added that it had not made any arrests in the case so far, and did not disclose any further information on the case but added they were investigating the matter.

Human Rights and Gender Committee had previously said that a total of 2,169 sexual abuse cases were logged with the police in the last six years.

The committee said a total of 234 sexual abuse cases were reported in 2023 alone as well.