Male’, Maldives – Ministry of Gender, Family and Social Services has revealed that a total of 36 cases of sexual abuse against children have been reported to the Ministry in the month of August alone.
According to the statistics released by the Ministry on Tuesday, a total of 184 cases were reported to the ministry in August, out of which, 103 cases were regarding various forms of child abuse. It showed that out of this, the highest number of of cases were of sexual abuse, which accounted for 36 cases.
The statistics further reflected that 24 cases of child neglect and 20 cases of physical abuse were also reported. In addition, 8 cases of emotional abuse, and 5 cases of harassment were also reported all within August. Further, 7 incidents of children being subject to witnessing domestic violence and 3 counts of cyber bullying were also reported to the ministry during this time.
The Ministry also revealed that gender based violence and domestic violence cases have also been reported to the Ministry with 28 cases having have been reported in August. Among these were 10 cases of verbal and emotional abuse while 10 cases of physical abuse were also filed.
It was also revealed that 3 cases of rape and 2 cases of sexual abuse were also reported among other cases of abuse, neglect, and family related issues.
Any information regarding cases of such nature are urged to be reported to the Family and Child Protection Department of Maldives Police Service, which can be contacted at 3000600, or to the Ministry of Gender, Family and Social Services at 1412.
