School teacher suspended for repeated sexual abuse of student

A teacher in a school located in the greater Male’ area has been suspended after he was accused of repeatedly sexually abusing one of the school’s students.

A spokesperson from the Education Ministry confirmed the suspension to Sun on Tuesday morning.

Sun has been informed through a credible source that the suspect in question is a leading teacher at the school, and the head of the Islam department.

The sexual abuse is under investigation by the police.

A police spokesperson said the case, involving “a teacher at a school in the Male’ area accused of sexually abusing one of the school’s students over the course of days” was reported to the police on February 14.

However, the police have yet to make an arrest in the case.

Crimes against children are treated by the police as serious offenses. The law enforcement agency does not disclose the island where such crimes take place in order to protect the identity of victims.

Special Provisions Act to Deal with Child Sex Offenders, which declares special provisions to deal with child sex offenders both at investigative and trial stages, prescribes a prison sentence of 15 to 18 years, if the person who carried out the offense holds a position of authority over the victim.

Those with information regarding crimes against children are urged to call the Maldives Police Service’s Family and Child Protection Department at 3000600 or the Ministry of Gender, Family and Social Services’ helpline 1412.