2-yo sexual assault victim discharged after further tests

After running further tests on the two-year-old sexual assault victim from Kanduhulhudhoo island in Gaaf Alif atoll, the hospital has approved her discharge.

RaajjeMV understands that the child was released on Sunday and she was brought to capital city Malé on Friday night, under the care of her maternal aunt.

Authorities received the report of sexual assault against the toddler on 15 January.

While her father, grandfather and great grandfather have since been arrested and remanded for 15 days, police revealed that the 62-year-old grandfather and 82-year-old great grandfather are accused of sexually assaulting the toddler while the 33-year-old father is accused of negligence. Both the elders as well as the parents of the child have criminal records, with several sexual assault cases pending against the 82-year-old.

Police also revealed that the child has been moved under the care of her grandmother.

The trauma inflicted on the child began unfolding after she is to have told her maternal aunt of pain in her private parts. She was then taken to the hospital following which doctors confirmed signs of abuse. The case came into light while her mother was in the capital for “health complications”. Police arrested all three men involved in the case on Friday.

The news churned public outcry, protesters have been holding demonstrations in the capital and outlying atolls dubbed “I Stand Against Rape”, calling for justice and for the resignation of Minister of Gender, Family and Social Services Shidhatha Shareef who has drawn criticism for inadequate and sluggish action against child sex offenders in the past as well.