Child Sexual Abuse Reports Nearly Double in May as Victim Demographics Shift

MV+ News Desk | June 21, 2026

Reported child sexual abuse cases in the Maldives surged sharply in May 2026, nearly doubling compared to earlier in the year, according to the latest statistics released by the Ministry of Health, Family and Welfare.

The Ministry recorded 25 cases of child sexual abuse in May, up from 13 cases in March, marking the most significant increase among all categories of Violence Against Children (VAC) in the latest reporting period.

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The increase affected both genders, with cases involving girls rising from 12 to 19, while cases involving boys jumped sixfold from one to six.

The figures point to a growing concern over sexual violence against children despite broader reductions in other forms of reported harm.

Overall, VAC cases declined from 92 in March to 81 in May, but the proportion of boys affected increased noticeably, reducing the disparity between male and female victims.

In March, 60 girls and 32 boys were recorded as victims. By May, the figures shifted to 43 girls and 38 boys, indicating a rise in cases involving boys across multiple categories.

Bullying cases rose from just two in March to 11 in May, including both traditional and online forms of harassment, affecting six boys and five girls.

Emotional abuse also doubled over the same period, increasing from six to 12 cases, with a marked rise in reports involving boys, which surged from two to nine.

In contrast, physical forms of harm showed a downward trend. Witnessing domestic violence dropped by 73 per cent, falling from 19 cases in March to five in May.

Physical abuse cases were also reduced by more than half, declining from 18 to eight, with a sharp drop in cases involving girls.

The Ministry also noted that it handled 269 cases across all portfolios in May 2026, including family disputes and domestic violence-related matters.

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