Maldivian Court Allows ‘Victim Impact Statement’ for First Time

The Hulhumalé Magistrate Court has, for the first time in the Maldives, permitted a victim to deliver a ‘Victim Impact Statement’ during sentencing proceedings. 

The Prosecutor General’s Office (PGO) announced that the court sentenced a 54-year-old man to 54 years in prison on Monday, 21 April, for sexually abusing a young girl over an extended period while in a position of authority over her. The court permitted the victim to submit an impact statement, which was delivered in court by Public Prosecutor Almas Mubarik.

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A ‘Victim Impact Statement’ allows victims of crime to convey to the court the emotional, psychological and physical harm they have suffered. The statement in this case detailed the profound and lasting effects of the abuse on the victim’s life.

According to the PGO, the introduction of this practice aligns with international standards followed in democratic societies, where such statements are seen as a means of empowering victims and helping them find a sense of closure.

The Office emphasised that victim empowerment remains a key focus in its approach to prosecuting crimes involving vulnerable individuals. The court’s acceptance of the impact statement, at the request of the PGO, was welcomed as a positive development in enabling victims to be heard during sentencing.

The identity of the defendant has not been made public in order to protect the identity of the victim, who was a minor at the time the abuse occurred.

The PGO stated that it is working towards creating a justice system that offers greater support and voice to victims, reflecting a broader shift towards victim-centred legal processes in the Maldives.