Minivan News: 22nd November 2008

I commend the work done by the NGOs to raise awareness on child abuse in the Maldives.

But the government’s enforcement agencies should feel ashamed of themselves for their failure to at the very least provide a safe environment for victims.

As I write this, six men who gang-raped a girl at the end of August and then confessed to police remain free.

They are now freely living in Noonu atoll Holhudhoo, the same island as they attacked their victim, a fourteen-year old girl, who has since been threatened by the same men and now lives in fear.

I have spoken to the family about the pain they are going through. To my dismay and sadness, none of the government authorities chose to extend their assistance to them.

Some convicted perpetrators return to the community and are able to return to teaching. When asked for a reason, officials from the Gender Ministry failed to give any, saying only that parents needed to be careful about it.

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