News from: Jazeera Daily

From: Jazeera Daily
Also in: Haveeru Online

From: Jazeera Daily

Maldives Today is urging all bloggers and individuals involved in citizen media to take a unified stand against child sexual abuse in our country. As part of a drive of Bloggers against Child Sexual Abuse in Maldives, bloggers can dedicate more posts on this topic for a week. I am supporting the urge with this post linking to the original post in Maldives Today.

Child sexual abuse is rampant in our society. Despite several cases of child sexual abuse being reported during the past months, society is still not taking a strong stand against it, and the government authorities are slow in taking action.
In the past, we had reported how Maldives has become a Paradise for paedophiles and how easily paedohpiles are allowed to continue preying on children in the Maldives. The government is at times sympathetic with paedohpiles rather than the victims as obvious from the case of the Goidhoo Imam who is allowed to remain within the community because he happens to be the DRP head in the island.
On Children’s Day in Maldives, we urge all bloggers and individuals involved in citizen media to take a unified stand against child sexual abuse in our country. As part of a drive of Bloggers against Child Sexual Abuse in Maldives, you can dedicate more posts on this topic for a week.
We have to keep the topic under discussion continuously.

Residents of Haa Alifu atoll Dhidhdhoo began a search for a 13-year-old boy who had gone missing from the island, Sunday morning.

The Island Chief of Dhidhdhoo Zakariyya Hussain said that the search for the missing boy, Hussain Irufaash, had been started by his parents.

“The family reported the missing kid around 11:00am,” Hussain said yesterday afternoon. “We called for a search and the residents of the island have been searching for him since.”

The Island Chief also said that the Irufaash, who is studying in Grade 7 of the Island School, was living with an uncle and had been seen at home earlier that morning.

“It rained a little this morning here,” he said. “His grandfather said that Irufaash had complained of a stomachache during that time. That was before 11:00am. He went missing after that.”

The Island Office said yesterday afternoon that the residents of the island were still searching for the missing kid.

News from: Haveeru Online

Two local NGOs today spoke out to condemn the release of suspected child sex offenders during the investigation of their cases, with at least two suspects known to be currently at large in the capital, Malé.

One, Hama Jamiyya, issued a statement saying: “Child abusers …are a dangerous threat to society, and it is an obligation of the State to keep those alleged to have committed such serious crimes, especially sexual crimes against children, under arrest and isolated from children.”

A second, Maldivian Detainee Network, joined the outcry, with co-ordinator Shahindha Ismail saying, “If the State does not protect children, then who is going to?”

Suspects

One suspected abuser, Adnan Hussein, a director at the President’s Office, was arrested in March on suspicion of sexually abusing two children, with his case currently under investigation by police.

He was on house arrest until 28 April, but reliable sources indicate he was seen “at the waterfront meeting his wife and son” whilst under house arrest. On 28 April he was released and is now at large.

Meanwhile, a lance corporal in the Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF), accused of repeated abuse of a six-year-old child, is at liberty whilst his case proceeds through the courts.

He has not been taken into custody despite allegations of physical abuse, which the child’s family say are backed by medical evidence.

Regulation

Sentencing on sex offences was changed in early February so that for crimes committed after that date, child abusers will face jail rather than a banishment sentence.

At that time, gender minister Aishath Mohamed Didi said: “Banishment gave [offenders] access to other children, which is a clear violation of those children’s rights.”

Meanwhile current regulations state that for offences including terrorism, drug dealing and gang violence, suspects must be kept in custody whilst their cases are investigated and proceed through the courts.

But child sex offences are not on the list, though the Child Protection Authority (CPA) recommends alleged offenders should be kept in custody until a verdict if the investigation indicates guilt.

Shahindha, of Detainee Network, said on Thursday: “When we compare [sex abuse] with the other categories where offenders are not released, sexual offenders are just as much of a menace to society as drug traffickers or gang fighters.”

Change

Both Hama Jamiyya and Detainee Network called for a change in regulations, with Hama Jamiyya pointing out: “According to Law No. 5/78, judges and magistrates must, even after investigation is completed, refer to the type of crime committed and the threat [the suspect] poses to the community, and can decide to keep the alleged offender under arrest until Court proceedings are over and a ruling issued.”

This means current law could be used to ensure child abuse suspects are detained, the NGO said, calling upon the state “to immediately lock up all alleged child abusers that currently remain free.”

Child abuse suspect Ali Rasheed, the imam whose case shocked the island of Baa atoll Goidhoo in May 2007 when five young girls accused him of using Qur’an classes to molest them, remains at large almost a year after the case was first reported to police.

News from: Minivan News

It’s been quite a while this blog has not been updated. Well, I have my own set of excuses for that. After such a long time of inactivity, it’s time for a flash back into the history. Along the way into the past couple of months a number of child abuse cases have raised up and has quite been talked about in the media. More and more people are getting aware about the worsening situation. More and more people are concered and discussing about the issue of child abuse in Maldives.

• On the 15th of September 2007, Jazeera Daily reported that a video of a 9 year old child being engaged in sex with an adult male, was being circulated around Male’ and that they have received a copy of it too.
• On the 03rd of October 2007, Jazeera Daily reported that the father of an 11 year old girl has been presented to the police station of Alifu Dhaalu atoll Himandhoo in charge of the 11 year old girl been married. The father has defended against the charges saying that the gossip around the island that the girl has been married is indeed wrong.
• On the 04th of October 2007, Haveeru Online reported that police have arrested two people in Raa atoll Maduvvaree on charges of sexually assaulting an eight-year-old child. According to a close friend of the victim’s family the assault had taken place that Tuesday night while the child had been sleeping.
• On the 12th of November 2007, Minivan News highlights once again the case of an Imam accused of serial child abuse remaining free on his home island, six months after police promised to investigate. “Family attempts to bring the case to the attention of authorities in Malé have met with silence, fuelling growing sentiment on Baa Atoll Goidhoo that the Government is turning a blind eye to child abuse on the island.” says Abdulla Jaisham of Minivan News.
• On the 17th of November 2007, Haveeru Online reports that a 15 year old girl who went to Hithadhoo Regional Hospital in Addu has been allegedly sexually abused by a physiotherapist there. The person who is alleged to have committed this act is an Indian national working at the hospital. He had asked everyone to keep out of the physiotherapy room and was inside, alone with the girl, when she suddenly screamed and burst out of the room.
• On the 26th of December 2007, Jazeeera Daily reported that a step father has sexually abused his six year old step child and the case has been presented to court. Haveeru Online also has reported the same case an Jazeera Daily reported on 31st December that the step father has been sentenced for three year for jail.
• On the 05th of January 2008, Jazeera Daily reported that an 18 year old girl who has previously killed her child after giving birth, has again given birth in Dhanbidhoo. Haveeru Online reported the same case on the very next day.
• On the 04th of February 2008, Jazeera Daily reported rape of a 14 year olf girl in Gaafu Dhaalu Rathafandhoo. The girl was raped twice in two different nights. Haveeru Online has also reported the same case.
• On the 11th of February 2008, Haveeru Online reports that A 17 year old has hanged herself in Alif Dhaalu atoll Mahibadhoo.
• On the 13th of February, Haveeru Online reported that an 18 year old girl has been raped by a gang of four in Raa atoll Ungoofaaru.
• On the 19th of february 2008, Haveeru Online has reported that a 39 years old man has been arrested by the Police in Fuvah Mulah for the alleged sexual abuse of a thirteen year old girl. Minivan News has reported the same case too.
• On the 17th of February 2008, Jazeera Daily has reported that an 11 month old baby has been found dead and taken to hospital in Addu. The baby has been allegedly killed by its own mother who already has six children. It was reported that there was a fight with the husband as she got pregnant with the baby. Haveeru Online has also reported the case.
• On the 24th of February 2008, Minivan News reported that Ali Hassan, 66, Imam of Gnaviyani atoll Fuvahmulak, was accused of molesting and raping a ten-year-old girl. Miadhu Daily reported the same case.
• On the 15th of March 2008, Haveeru Online reported that a 48 year old was being held for investigation on suspicion of the sexual abuse of several children from one family. According to the report, the children were not of the same parents, but are related. Miadhu Daily reported the case too.
• On the 17th of March 2008, Haveeru Online reported that a director at the President’s Office has been held while on his way to travel abroad; at Hulule International Airport. The man is accused of having sexually abused his daughter who did her GCE OLevel last year. An update from Jazeera says that the abuse was taken up with the mother, by the victim about eight months ago. It also confirmed that the mother had reported the case to the Police.
• On the 06th of April 2008, Minivan News reported that A family have accused a lance corporal in the Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) of repeatedly abusing their six-year-old child in the capital, Malé, after “grooming” her with gifts and chocolates.

All these cases added up, we can understand the seriousness of the current situation of child abuse in Maldives. Moreover, the issue is being taken up more broadly in the CAWM facebook group.

Refer to the the post Minister Nasheed has posted in his blog, titled “Going After the Pedofiles“. Here are some interesting comments I found on the post. This is not a “comment on the comments” as he says. So I am not commenting on any of these comments. Just have a look at the trend.

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what is this consent thing all about.. wether they do it with consent or not, is that the problem. for crying out loud, if its done without marriage its illegal.
these filthy people should not be allowed back to the community, they must be put in an uninhabited island forever.
yeah, there names should be called on the radio and TV.
Posted by Frozen Solid | September 3, 2007 8:56 PM

This is one legislation which is too late and would be welcomed by every parent.
I believe that we have enough legal minds, and qualified welfare workers in the Ministries you mentioned, to ensure that existing laws of other countries are referred, proven and unproven cases in these countries studies to see the loop holes, and try the best we can to come up with a law as humanly possible to be free of loop holes.
For examples, whether with consent or not, any sexual contact with a minor (16? in US) is considered stautory rape. We should have something similar where, minors should be protected.
Posted by Adam | September 3, 2007 9:21 PM

Are you trying to invent the wheel? Nasheed it’s been invented already. Stupid. Take these things to your TVM and have live debates about it. That is your job. As far as i can see there are so many things that gov can do immediately to protect children form Paedophiles. When the police can throw people into lorries for peacefully expressing their views why can’t they do the same for Paedophiles?
Posted by Gee-wiz | September 4, 2007 9:01 AM

Mr Nasheed
You being one of the key people in our country I wish to make a request regarding parent awareness on this matter. This is happening at home too..children male and female are getting abused by adults at home. Even fathers,mothers,aunts, uncles brothers etc are among pedophiles….more than law enforcement this awareness is important. Parents should be creating awareness among children like my olg grandma did when I WAS A KID.Children should be taught to say no to wrong things. It cannot be school alone that should teach. These basic things about how to protect themselves should be taught to children by parents. Law gets enforced after the act has been done. Ofcourse enforcing of strict laws on this matter is essential and should be taken seriously.
My heart goes out to those little innocent helpless children . Most of the timem parents do not beleive children when they make complaints…PARENTS MUST LEARN TO LISTEN TO THEIR CHILDREN AND TO INTERPRET THE HIDDEN MEANINGS IN THE MESSAGES THEY GIVE…eg that they dont want to stay at home alone with a certain person etc…PLEASE CREATE AWARENESS ON THIS TYPE OF ACTIVITIES HAPPENING AT HOME WITH NEIGHBOURS..etc…AMONG THE PARENTS AND THE SOCIETY THROUGH DISSCUSSIONS ETC
Posted by jazmine | September 4, 2007 10:18 AM

Dear Nasheed, the matter has been on top of the agenda for several years. If you will do something while you are acting AG, do something to educate the “illiterate” judge who passed the most arrongant verdict in our judicial hisotry (against the “horrendous acts” – to qoute the President) and his likes. I know you have appealed against the ruling.
And I believe that the professionals at the AGO, Justice Ministry, Gender Ministry, and the respective parliamentary committee of the Majlis, need to attend a Children’s Rights sensitization and advocacy program. There are very good ones in the Phillipines. I really felt that way reading your post. I am shocked at the level of ignorance.
The Chidren’s Rights Act was adopted by Parliament over 15 years ago and that we are here today, is a shame! And to adopt legislation and not to check on its effectiveness is worse than not having done it at all. I guess Dr. Shaheed was right, after all!
Posted by Shihab | September 4, 2007 9:07 PM

Make a little bit of research at aminiya school, you will be amazed to find that a large share of current students as well as past has had faced some form of physical abuse and a large portion will say that it was within the family.
Child abuse has been in our country for decades but there has never been an established mechanism for victims to seek justice.
The president coming out and saying that the culprits will pay doesnt necessarily pave way for such victims to justice.
Most such cases are kept as family secrets and in our supposedly islamic society victims coming out and blaming their father, brothers..isnt considered the right thing to do, which again imposes much difficulty.
This is all because our society wasnt brought up nicely. Whose to blame? I feel that the government has much to be.
Posted by ali | September 5, 2007 3:31 PM

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In addidion, I noticed that comments on his blog were moderated. I wonder if all the comments really appear on the blog. Yes, my comment appeared. But I just wonder! In my opinion, this is not a good sign, specially him being a minister.

When a child tells an adult that he or she has been sexually abused, the adult may feel uncomfortable and may not know what to say or do. The following guidelines should be used when responding to children who say they have been sexually abused.
If a child even hints in a vague way that sexual abuse has occurred:

* Encourage him or her to talk freely.
* Show that you understand and take seriously what the child is saying.
* Assure the child that they did the right thing in telling.
* Tell the child that he or she is not to blame for the sexual abuse.
* Finally, offer the child protection, and promise that you will promptly take steps to see that the abuse stops.

When a child tells someone about sexual abuse, a supportive, caring response is the first step in getting help for the child and reestablishing their trust in adults.

Sexually abused children may develop the following:

* Unusual interest in or avoidance of all things of a sexual nature.
* Sleep problems or nightmares.
Depression or withdrawal from friends or family.
* Seductiveness.
* statements that their bodies are dirty or damaged, or fear that there is something wrong with them in the genital area.
* Refusal to go to school.
* Delinquency/conduct problems.
* Secretiveness.
* Aspects of sexual molestation in drawings, games, fantasies.
* Unusual aggressiveness, or suicidal behavior.