A man has been arrested from an island in the North Central Province for the sexual abuse of his 14-year-old step-daughter.

Authorities revealed that the child sex abuse case was lodged against the step-father of the 14-year-old child on Monday. Arrested was a 31-year-old Maldivian man, said authorities.

It has been long since authorities have been drawing public criticism, especially the Gender Ministry for inadequate action taken against child sex offenders and to curb the crime. Such cases have been reported frequently of recent and the Gender Ministry claims this is because public awareness is notably increasing regarding such crimes.