Violence Against Children Remains Highest Category of Cases Reported in August
Woman in Naalaafushi, Meemu Atoll | Photo: MV+
The largest number of cases reported to the Ministry of Social and Family Development in August is once again relating to Violence Against Children, with 84 total cases, data released by the ministry today shows.
While this remains the highest category of reports, it marks a slight decrease from July, when 93 incidents were recorded. In August, 44 cases involved girls and 40 involved boys.
advertisement
advertisement
advertisement
The ministry also received reports in other categories, including 45 cases of Gender-Based Violence (41 women; four men), 22 cases of Family Issues (eight girls; 14 boys), 17 cases of Behavioural Issues Against Children (11 girls; six boys), eight cases related to Care and Support for Persons with Disabilities or the Elderly (five men; three women), and four cases of Child Rights Violations (three boys; one girl).
Cases Reported to the Ministry in August
Violence Against Children accounted for 84 cases, including 26 of neglect (15 girls; 11 boys), 14 of witnessing domestic violence (five girls; nine boys), 13 sexual abuse cases, nine emotional abuse cases, eight physical violence cases, five bullying incidents, four cases of blackmail, two cases of harassment, one cyberbullying incident, one case of child abandonment, and one case of exploitation.
Behavioural Issues in Children totalled 17 cases, including three children refusing to attend school, one running away, one temper tantrum, and 12 miscellaneous cases (11 girls; six boys).
Child Rights Violations included three cases of refusal to send children to school and one refusal to vaccinate (three boys; one girl).
Family Issues accounted for 22 cases, with parental disputes leading at 11 cases (five girls; six boys), followed by custody battles at nine cases (seven girls; two boys), one case concerning access to a child, and one maintenance case.
Gender-Based Violence included 45 cases, with 25 incidents of physical violence (23 women; two men), 10 of emotional or verbal abuse (nine women; one man), four sexual violence/abuse cases, one case of controlling behaviour, and one sexual harassment case.
Care and Support for Persons with Disabilities or the Elderly accounted for eight cases, including five related to support for persons with disabilities (three men; two women) and three involving support for elderly individuals (two men; one woman).
The data highlights that cases involving children, particularly Violence Against Children, continue to represent a significant portion of reports received by the ministry.
