Silent protest against sexual abuse of children held on Saturday

A silent protest against the sexual abuse of children has been held on Saturday.

The rape case of a two-year-old by three generations of the child's male family members arose from Kanduhulhudhoo island in Gaaf Alif atoll late Thursday. Following public outrage, the two-year-old’s father, grandfather and great grandfather have been taken under police custody.

The silent protest is the second demonstration against child sexual abuse since the matter surfaced. While the first protest was held outside the Ministry of Gender on Friday, the second was held on Saturday evening at the Artificial Beach area with over 130 protesters in attendance.

The protesters, holding signboards, stated that they learnt of the demonstration via social media. Highlighting that the perpetrators have been remanded for 15 days, the protesters claimed that they will participate in the demonstration for the next 15 days. Organisers of the demonstration revealed that silent protests were held in 25 other islands around the country on Saturday as well.

While increasing numbers of child sexual abuse cases have surfaced, many members of the public have voiced concern and outrage towards the relevant authorities, especially the Ministry of Gender, at the lack of appropriate action taken against perpetrators of abuse.

As such, some members of the public have accused the ministry of withholding public information.