Maldives Police Service, on Tuesday, arrested a 55-year-old man accused sexually abusing two of his stepchildren, both of whom are below the age of 18.
The arrest was made at approximately 1245 hrs under a court order.
The case, submitted to the police on February 2, was reported in an island located within the North Central Police Division, which comprises the atolls of Kaafu, Alif Alif, Alif Dhaalu and Vaavu.
Stating that investigations were underway, the police reiterated that all cases involving sexual violence against children are investigated as a serious offence.
The government first came under fire this year 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.
President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih also highlighted the urgency of curbing the issue during his presidential address the parliament's 2020 inaugural session.
Sign In