Maldives Police Service on Monday arrested a 35-year-old man for repeated sexual abuse against a 15-year-old girl, in the North Police Division which comprises the atolls of Noonu, Raa, Baa and Lhaviyani.
Reportedly, the man began abusing the girl in 2019 and had assaulted her on multiple occasions by the time the case was filed with the police on January 10, 2020.
Stating that the investigation was underway, the police reiterated that all cases involving sexual violence against children are investigated as a serious offence.
The government came under fire after a case involving the sexual abuse of a 21-month old girl in Kanduhulhudhoo, Gaafu Alif Atoll surfaced in mid January. Public sentiment has remained focused on the prevalence of the issue as well as the state's failure to effectively deal with such cases.
Although additional incidents of child sexual violence were reported in the wake of the Kanduhulhudhoo case, authorities have yet to confirm any convictions against suspects apprehended in relation to these crimes.
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