Child sexual abuse tops June child welfare cases, ministry reports

A total of 241 child welfare related cases were reported in June this year, with child sexual abuse being the highest-reported category, according to statistics from the Ministry of Social and Family Development.

The figures are based on monthly cases submitted to the ministry.

According to the ministry, 86 cases of various forms of child abuse were recorded in June; 53 girls and 33 boys. Sexual abuse was the most common offense, with 25 cases reported, including 22 girls and three boys.

The second most common category was physical abuse, with 17 cases, 11 boys and six girls. In addition, the ministry recorded 14 cases of neglect, eight cases of witnessing domestic violence, and five cases of emotional abuse.

2026 ވަނަ އަހަރުގެ ޖޫން މަހު މި ވުޒާރާއަށް ހުށަހަޅާފައިވާ ކުޑަކުދިންނާއި އަންހެނުން އަދި ނާޒުކު ހާލަތްތަކުގައިވާ ފަރާތްތަކާ ގުޅޭ މައްސަލަތަކުގެ ތަފާސްހިސާބުތައް.
2026 vana aharuge June mahu mi vuzaaraaah hushahalhaafaivaa kudakudhinnaai anhenun adhi naazuku haalaiythakugaivaa… pic.twitter.com/LoraxjeRJ6

— Social and Family Development (@SFdevelopmentMV) July 20, 2026

There were nine cases of bullying, including one case of cyberbullying. The ministry also identified three cases of blackmail, two cases of cyber grooming, one case involving the use of children to produce nude content, and one case of child trafficking.

Beyond abuse cases, the ministry investigated 24 cases related to child behaviour. The most common were anger issues, with 10 cases reported. This was followed by seven cases of refusal to attend school and one case of running away from home.

The Ministry of Social and Family Development said it is working with relevant authorities to prevent child abuse and provide necessary assistance to affected children. The ministry also urged parents and communities to report any incident of child abuse without delay.