March Records the Highest Number of Cases of Violence Against Children This Year So Far
Social and Family Development Minister Dr Aishath Shiham has revealed that a total of The committee cited domestic violence, sexual and gender-based violence, abuse and neglect as persistent problems. | Photo: MV+
March recorded the highest number of violence-against-children cases so far this year, with 92 cases reported, up from 74 in February and 64 in January.
According to the latest figures, girls accounted for 60 cases, while 32 cases involved boys.
Cases of children witnessing domestic violence increased, with 8 boys and 11 girls affected in March, compared to 5 boys and 4 girls in February.
2026 ވަނަ އަހަރުގެ މާރިޗު މަހުގައި ޞިއްޙަތާއި ޢާއިލާއާއި އިޖުތިމާއީ އެހީއާ ބެހޭ ވުޒާރާއަށް ރިޕޯޓުކޮށްފައިވާ މައްސަލަތަކުގެ ތަފާސްހިސާބުތައް. pic.twitter.com/LH2nWtezRm— Ministry of Health, Family and Welfare (@MoHmv) April 21, 2026
Neglect cases also showed an increase among girls, rising to 16 cases, while 8 cases were reported involving boys.
Physical abuse cases were also higher among girls, with 11 cases recorded, compared to 7 boys. In February, 10 boys and 2 girls were reported.
Emotional abuse cases declined overall, with 2 boys and 4 girls affected in March, down from 8 boys and 3 girls in February.
Sexual abuse cases remained unchanged, with 1 boy and 12 girls recorded in both February and March. However, sexual grooming of children increased, rising from 1 girl in February to 3 boys and 2 girls in March.
Cyber grooming and child pornography cases each involved 1 girl in March, with no cyber grooming caes reported in February. 1 Child pornography case involving a girl was also reported in March.
Cases of bullying remained the same, with 1 boy and 1 girl recorded in both months.
Other cases included 2 boys and 1 girl in March.
