Maldives Police Service arrested a 36-year-old local man on Monday night over the alleged sexual abuse of a minor.
The police revealed that the crime, involving a child under the age of 10, took place on an island in the South Police Division comprising the cities of Fuvahmulah and Addu.
The abuse was reported to the police from a health centre on September 13.
Aside from stating that the suspect was taken into custody under a court warrant and that the investigation was underway, the police did not disclose additional information.
Amid a significant number of child sexual abuse cases reported this year, public ire continues to soar over the government's meagre record of arresting and convicting perpetrators of sexual offences despite several promises to support the rights of children and women.
A collective of gender equality advocates originating from Family Legal Clinic (FLC) and Nufoshey also launched the #FundOurSafety initiative, voicing demands to declare rape and sexual offences as serious criminal offences and reallocate state funds for the protection of victims.
Meanwhile, the police have warned over increasing incidents of child abuse and exploitation, urging parents and guardians to be aware and report any such cases to the police's Family and Child Protection Wing at +960 3000600 or the Ministry of Gender, Family and Social Services at 1412.
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