Maldives Police Service confirmed on Friday night that two locals were arrested over sexually assaulting a foreign woman on a safari docked at Hulhumale' lagoon.
According to the police, two Maldivian men, both aged 39, were taken into police custody from the crime scene.
Police stated that the case was reported to the authorities at around 0500hrs on early Friday.
Authorities assured that the incident is under investigation, but did not disclose any further details.
Cases of sexual abuse are on the rise again, after the subsequent advocacy movement over a case concerning a two-year-old abused by her grandfather and great-grandfather in Kanduhulhudhoo, Gaafu Alif Atoll, died down amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
In April, responding to a question posed by The Edition on proactive measures the ministry would take to aid victims of abuse, Gender Minister Aishath Didi stated that the ministry was working with police authorities and non-profit organizations to establish special centres for house victims of abuse and domestic violence.
However, as it stands, the government is yet to deliver on its pledges to reduce the number of cases and increase arrests and convictions against offenders.
According to 'The Maldives Study on Women’s Health and Life Experiences' conducted by the Gender Ministry in 2006, one in three women and girls have reported experiencing either physical or sexual violence, or both, at least once during their lifetimes.
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