25 child sexual abuse cases reported in May

Statistics released by the Ministry of Social and Family Development record 25 cases of child sexual abuse in May.

According to figures published by the Ministry on Sunday, a total of 81 child-related cases were reported in May. Of the 25 sexual abuse cases recorded, 19 involved female children, while six involved male children. The Ministry noted that sexual abuse accounted for the largest category of reported cases involving children during the month.

In addition to sexual abuse, the Ministry received reports of 18 cases of child neglect, 12 cases of psychological abuse, and eight cases of physical abuse. The data also documented seven cases of bullying and four cases of cyberbullying.

The statistics further revealed 44 cases linked to behavioral issues among children, including eight incidents of refusal to attend school. The Ministry also reported that its 1412 helpline received 1,379 calls during the month, while the 1421 helpline recorded 626 calls.

2026 ވަނަ އަހަރުގެ މޭ މަހު މި ވުޒާރާއަށް ހުށަހަޅާފައިވާ ކުޑަކުދިންނާއި އަންހެނުން އަދި ނާޒުކު ހާލަތްތަކުގައިވާ ފަރާތްތަކާ ގުޅޭ މައްސަލަތަކުގެ ތަފާސްހިސާބުތައް.@MoHmv

2026 vana aharuge May mahu mi vuzaaraaah hushahalhaafaivaa kudakudhinnaai anhenun adhi naazuku… pic.twitter.com/ORfCmDnSwD

— Social and Family Development (@SFdevelopmentMV) June 21, 2026

In response to the reported cases, the Ministry conducted 161 counselling sessions to provide support and assistance. Psychosocial support services were also provided to 44 individuals.

While official figures show that 25 cases of child sexual abuse were reported in May, concerns remain regarding the prevalence of such offences in the Maldives. Experts have frequently pointed out that many cases of child abuse are never reported to the relevant authorities, suggesting that the actual number of incidents may be significantly higher than reflected in official statistics.