Minivan News 25th March 2009
Maryam Omidi and Ibrahim Mohamed write:
A six-year-old girl, who was repeatedly raped, is now paralysed from the waist down and has developed a brain tumour which has led to blindness.
She is currently receiving radiation therapy following the removal of half of the tumour at Apollo hospital in Sri Lanka.
Police sergeant Ahmed Shiyam has confirmed a man was arrested in connection with the crime last Thursday but said he could not reveal any further information.
The girl, an orphan from Raa atoll Innamaadhoo, was first taken to Indira Gandhi Memorial Hospital (IGMH) in Male’ last year after she began experiencing difficulties walking.
Her case was consequently referred to the department of gender and family, and she was put into Kudakudhinge Hiya, a children’s home on Male’ atoll Vilingili.
The head of the home, Haseena Moosa, has described the girl as a “neglected child”.
According to a nurse in Apollo hospital, Kudakudhinge Hiya employees took the girl to Sri Lanka following the onset of paralysis and blindness; doctors at the hospital discovered a brain tumour.
The nurse said it was possible the paralysis was due to the rape, which the girl said had taken place four times, but added the blindness was a result of the tumour.
Read full report here
Smile and Let Smile 
Anonymous
March 28, 2009 at 6:12 pm
If those responsible for taking care of the children are willing to turn a blind eye, who can protect these innocent lives?These cases only surface when the child needs medical care,if that doesnt happen most cases go unnoticed.From what I have heard (need to confirm this..) Naseem (notorious for abusing girls in a school years ago)has a tuition class at his home.And who do we blame if his students suffer at his hands?Parents?The authorities who let him roam free?And these cases are not new,it is just that more are surfacing due to awareness of our citizens.But it is of no avail to report these cases when the punishment is banishment.That is like giving them a free ticket to go on a holiday.They live,eat and mingle with potential victims.And why do we not have a photo list of abusers?
Anonymous
March 27, 2009 at 1:33 am
sexual abuse knows no borders… no religous or cultural boundaries… it is a sick mind… we have to fight it together… take responsibility… do something… each of us can…
canofworms
March 26, 2009 at 6:27 pm
I just read that story on minivan, poor girl.@anonymous – Sick doesn’t even begin to describe it. But, if you can believe it, it does get worse. I still remember a headline on CNN from a few years back: “9 month old baby gang raped” …as i recall it happened in africa.
Anonymous
March 26, 2009 at 2:20 pm
This is getting Sick here!