A nine-year-old girl was sexually assaulted inside a bookshop in capital Malé City.

The assault took place while the child was with her mother.

Speaking to RaajjeMV, the girl’s mother said that that the assault took place on Saturday evening.

Noting that they were in the bookshop to buy a birthday present for a family member, she said that her child told her that an expatriate worker at the shop “had touched her in an inappropriate place.”

Further noting that she had also spoken to the bookshop owner, the mother said that she was informed that they are not able to take action immediately due to lack of staff.

She was told that the worker “will be advised.” She added that worker has since been moved to a different outlet.

While the matter was immediately reported to the police, both the police and the gender ministry are investigating the case.