Man sentenced to 20 years for sexually abusing child within family

A man has been sentenced to 20 years in jail for sexually assaulting a child related to him by family. The Criminal Court handed down the sentence last Wednesday.

Child sexual abuse trials are typically closed to the public, and details of this case have not been disclosed. However, Sun can confirm that the offender is a man from Malé and that the offence took place in the capital.

The Criminal Court stated that the conviction was issued under Article 15(a) of the Special Procedures Against Child Sexual Offenders Act, and the sentence of 20 years’ imprisonment was imposed under Article 15(b) of the same Act.

Under the Act, sexual assault of a child by a family member is classified as one of the most serious offences. The definition of “family member” includes parents, grandparents, siblings, half-siblings, step-parents, uncles, aunts, cousins, and other dependents within the household.

The prescribed punishment for sexual assault of a child by a family member is between 20 and 25 years in prison, making it one of the highest penalties under the Act.

It is also an offence under Maldivian law to knowingly fail to report sexual abuse of a child.

When such cases are filed, the State is required to provide the child with protection and psychological support under the Child Rights Protection Act. Authorities have the power to remove the offender from the child’s environment or transfer the child to a safe location to ensure immediate safety.