Child neglect and violence against women see increase in July

Statistics released by the Ministry of Social and Family Development show a rise in reported cases of child neglect and violence against women in July.

According to data published by the Ministry on Thursday, the Ministry attended to a total of 228 cases last month. Among the different forms of child abuse reported, neglect was the most common, with 22 cases recorded. The cases pertained to 16 girls and six boys.

This represents an increase from the 14 cases of child neglect recorded in June.

Sexual abuse was the second most frequently reported category of child abuse, comprising 14 cases involving girls and three involving boys. The Ministry also recorded 14 cases of domestic violence against children and seven cases of physical abuse.

Of the 15 other child-related cases reported, the Ministry recorded two incidents involving children running away from home and four cases of school refusal.

The Ministry also handled 54 cases involving gender-based violence and domestic abuse. Physical assault accounted for the largest share, including 27 cases of physical violence against women and five cases involving men.

Emotional or verbal abuse was the second most common form of domestic violence reported, with the Ministry investigating 12 such cases.

Additionally, the Ministry arranged foster care placements for two children under state care and reunited two boys and one girl with their respective families.

The Maldives continues to record high levels of child abuse and domestic violence. Police statistics indicate that 320 cases of domestic violence were reported last year, marking a 25 percent increase from the number recorded in 2024.