Suspect jailed pending trial’s end for sexual assault of 12-year-old girl

The suspect arrested for the sexual abuse of a young girl in southern Maldives has been jailed pending the outcome of his trial.

The sexual abuse of the 12-year-old girl was reported to a local police station in southern Maldives on July 16.

On Monday, a police spokesperson said investigators have arrested a 48-year-old man, who the police said holds a position of authority over the victim, in connection to the case earlier in the day.

The court ordered for him to be remanded in jail pending the outcome of his trial.

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.

The police do not disclose details, including the island where the crime took place, in order to protect the identity of child victims.

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.