PGO Unveils Guidelines to Combat Child Exploitation

The Prosecutor General’s Office (PGO) has introduced new guidelines aimed at streamlining the investigation and prosecution processes concerning cases of child exploitation. 

These guidelines are designed to foster consistency across all branches of the criminal justice system, acknowledging the complexities inherent in such cases.

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Under Section 122 of Act No. 2019/19, known as the Protection of Children’s Rights Act, the recruitment or exploitation of children for various purposes is explicitly deemed an offence. 

The issuance of these guidelines falls within the purview of Article 15(r) of Act No. 2008/9, which assigns the Prosecutor General the responsibility of ensuring that investigations and prosecutions adhere strictly to legal frameworks.

The implementation of these guidelines is expected to bolster efforts to combat child exploitation across the Maldives, providing clarity to law enforcement agencies and other relevant stakeholders involved in tackling such offences. 

By delineating clear procedures for police investigations and prosecutions in these sensitive cases, the guidelines aim to enhance the efficacy of efforts to safeguard children and hold perpetrators to account.