Over 200 Minors at Risk of Criminal Behaviour, Minister Warns

The Minister of Homeland Security and Technology, Ali Ihusaan, has raised alarm over the vulnerability of more than 200 minors to potential criminal activities. This statement comes in the wake of heightened concerns surrounding juvenile delinquency, spurred by a distressing bullying incident in AA. Rasdhoo.

Addressing the media during a press conference yesterday evening, Minister Ihusaan underscored the complexities involved in combating crimes against minors. He pinpointed the existing legal age of criminal responsibility, set at 15 years, as a major impediment.

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The government will propose a revision to the legal age of criminal responsibility, to lower the age to 12 years. This move, he suggested, could bridge the accountability gap and ensure that minors engaging in criminal behaviour face appropriate consequences.

The government, under the leadership of President Dr Mohamed Muizz, has initiated a cabinet task force comprising representatives from various ministries to address this pressing issue. Education Minister Dr Ismail Shafeeu noted that 26 cases of bullying has been reported across schools across the country so far this year.

He contended that although this number is high, it is “solvable” considering the scale of the Maldives education system which he claimed consists of 90,000 students, 50,000 parents and 15,000 teachers with over 27 million personal interactions occurring every year.

Shafeeu highlighted the shortage of psychosocial support personnel in schools as a significant challenge in tackling such incidents effectively. Out of the 250 schools nationwide, only 51 are equipped with counselors capable of providing the necessary psychosocial support to students.