91 cases of child abuse in March, marking a rise compared to February

The number of child abuse cases reported to the Ministry of Social and Family Development saw an increase in March, accounting for a total of 92 cases.

According to statistics released by the Ministry, these 92 cases involved various forms of abuse against children: 60 cases involving girls and 32 cases involving boys.  

This represents a notable increase compared to February, during which 74 cases were reported.

The Ministry stated that, consistent with trends observed in February, neglect remained the most frequently reported issue. A total of 24 neglect cases were reviewed, which included 16 involving girls and eight involving boys.

Meanwhile, the Ministry received 19 reports of children witnessing domestic violence and 18 reports of physical abuse.

2026 ވަނަ އަހަރުގެ މާރިޗު މަހުގައި ޞިއްޙަތާއި ޢާއިލާއާއި އިޖުތިމާއީ އެހީއާ ބެހޭ ވުޒާރާއަށް ރިޕޯޓުކޮށްފައިވާ މައްސަލަތަކުގެ ތަފާސްހިސާބުތައް. pic.twitter.com/LH2nWtezRm

— Ministry of Health, Family and Welfare (@MoHmv) April 21, 2026

The data also included 13 cases of sexual abuse, six cases of emotional or psychological abuse, and five cases of sexual grooming. Additionally, there were two reported cases of bullying by other children, one case of online sexual grooming, and one case involving child pornography.

Further statistics indicated that 50 cases of gender-based violence and domestic abuse were reported during the same period.

Physical assault was the most prevalent category, with 24 reported cases, including 18 involving women and six involving men.

The second most commonly reported category was psychological and verbal abuse, with 12 cases recorded, all of which involved female victims.