Police Investigate Highest Number of Sexual Assault Cases Against Minors in Q2 2023

The Maldives Police Service (MPS) has released quarterly data of 2023 on sexual offenses investigations, showing 36 cases of sexual assault against minors in Q1, 39 cases in Q2, 38 cases in Q3, and 38 cases in Q4.

In terms of rape, there were no reported cases in Q1, 2 cases in Q2, 3 cases in Q3,and 2 cases in Q4. Prostitution cases stood at 5 cases in Q1, 3 cases in Q2, 3 cases in Q3 and 7 cases in Q4. Sexual harassment incidents were reported as 6 cases in Q1, 15 cases in Q2, 7 cases in Q3, and 11 cases in Q4. 

Other sexual offenses accounted for 22 cases in Q1, 30 cases in Q2, 29 cases in Q3, and 14 cases in Q4.

Looking at the gender distribution, the breakdown reveals 9 male cases and 57 female cases in Q1, 33 male cases and 54 female cases in Q2, 8 male cases and 51 female cases in Q3, and 7 male cases and 46 female cases in Q4.

Geographically, the sexually offences cases were distributed as follows:

In Quarter 1:

• Male’ City – 32 cases
• Addu City – 4 cases
• Fuvahmulah City – 2 cases
• Kulhudhuffushi City – 3 cases
• Other Atolls – 28  cases

In Quarter 2:

• Male’ City – 42 cases
• Addu City – 2 cases
• Fuvahmulah City – 3 cases
• Kulhudhuffushi City – 3 cases
• Other Atolls – 39 cases

In Quarter 3:

• Male’ city – 39 cases

• Addu city – 7 cases
• Fuvahmulah city – 2 cases
• Kulhudhuffushi City – 0 cases
• Other Atolls – 32 cases

In Quarter 4:

• Male’ city – 41 cases
• Addu city – 7 cases
• Fuvahmulah city – 3 cases
• Kulhudhuffushi City – 1 cases
• Other Atolls – 35 cases

The data underscores the need for targeted interventions in specific areas to address the prevalence of sexual offenses effectively.