Police Urge Public to Report Child Sexual Abuse Promptly to Aid Investigations

Police have called on the public to report cases of child sexual abuse without delay, warning that late reporting continues to hinder investigations.

Despite the Maldives experiencing a high incidence of child sexual abuse, authorities say many cases remain underreported, and those that are reported often come long after the abuse has occurred.

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Superintendent Mohamed Shareef, head of the Crime Against Children Department, highlighted that reports of child sexual abuse are increasing, but delays in filing complaints remain a significant challenge. He said the police are conducting targeted operations to curb child grooming, following intelligence shared from abroad, with ten grooming cases currently under investigation.

Shareef confirmed that a police operation led to the arrest of a Maldivian man in connection with a child sexual abuse case, although further details were not disclosed.

He noted that delays in reporting are not limited to child sexual abuse, with domestic violence and blackmail complaints also frequently reported late or withdrawn after filing. Shareef emphasised that early reporting is crucial for effective police action.

According to police statistics, 266 cases of sexual offences and 298 cases of domestic violence have been reported so far this year.