Ministry of Gender, Family and Social Services revealed on Friday afternoon that the two-year-old girl, who was sexually assaulted by an elderly man, has been removed from her family and transferred to a safe environment.
In a short statement, the gender ministry stated that it received reports of the case on January 15 and confirmed that the abuse was sexual in nature.
The ministry said the child was removed from her family after discussions with relevant institutions, in order to provide the medical attention she required and ensure her safety and protection.
The ministry did not disclose further information but assured it was working with Maldives Police Service to investigate the case.
Meanwhile, some posts on social media allege that the victim's parents were substance abusers, and that she had been raped by her father, grandfather and great-grandfather.
@presidencymv @PoliceMv @shidhatha Please please don’t let these monsters go free. Jail them for life. So far the government is doing nothing about these child abusers. Are you with them??🙄🙄
— Hawwa (@Hahwaaa) January 17, 2020
The case sparked public outcry with many on social media sharing pictures of the accused perpetrators, calling on the authorities to persecute them.
Dear @ibusolih we don’t want development to the country at the expense of evil men walking away from crimes as heinous as child abuse or rape.
— rehan (@iRehanu) January 17, 2020
We demand these vile creatures to be arrested, tried and jailed.
Society is not going to be safe with people like that walking free.
However, authorities have not confirmed or debunked the claims.