The first amendment to the Sexual Offences Act has been ratified.

The act (Law No. 17/2014) was ratified by President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih on Monday, upon which it has been publicized in the government gazette.

The amendment comes into immediate effect.

Passed by the People’s Majlis at the 44th sitting of its third session on November 29, the amendment re-defines rape, sexual injury and sexual assault to extend the offences to married couples.

Providing rape evidence kits at all government hospitals and health centers as well as training staff at these facilities, with a “victim-centers” “trauma-informed” approach have been mandated under the amendment.

The use of rape evidence kits has also been mandated following the amendment.

Further, the Maldives Police Service (MPS) will be required to provide rape evidence kits to victims of sexual offence cases as listed under the law following the amendment to the act, alongside providing victims with information on Sexually Transmitted Infections (STI)s and testing for STIs, upon request.

With the ratification, the amendment repeals Section 20 of the act that provided for the offence of marital rape in limited circumstances.