The number of domestic violence cases reported to the Family Protection Authority (FPA) during the third quarter of 2020, have seen a steep surge in comparison to the second quarter.

Statistics publicized by the authority reveal that they had received a total of 179 cases through relevant institutions from July to September.

During the second quarter, FPA received 111 domestic violence cases.

242 victims of domestic violence were recorded in the third quarter, and 150 victims were aged above 18 out of which 115 were girls and 35, boys. Further, 92 of the cases involved minors who were victimized, including 67 girls and 25 boys.

FPA received 220 cases of 37 women inflicting the abuse and 182 of them were men.

Most of the cases were where the victims were on the receiving end of verbal and mental abuse, where 130 cases were reported.

Maldives Police Service (MPS) reported 110 cases to the authority, the Ministry of Gender, Family and Social Services reported 70 cases and health service institutions also reported six cases.

62 of the cases reported from the police institution were from the Family and Gender Affairs Department, whereas 13 were from the Hulhumalé Police Service, 10 from the police station in Fuvahmulah City, five from Hithadhoo Police Station, four each from the police stations in Maamigili island and Thinadhoo island of Gaaf Dhaal atoll.

A majority of the cases filed from the gender ministry came from the Social Service Department at 32 and 17 from the Child and Family Protection Services.

FPA also received two domestic violence cases from ADK Hospital and Kulhudhuffushi Regional Hospital each, and one each from Lhaviyani Atoll Hospital and Alif Alif Atoll Hospital.

The country’s capital city, Malé remains the hub of domestic violence cases, where 126 cases were reported within the third quarter of the year. FPA also received 16 domestic violence cases from Seenu atoll and 14 from Gnaviyani atoll.

The authority mostly recorded domestic violence cases against women, at 182. 60 male victims were also reported during this period.