These are the faces of the men who have apparently been abusing a young girl of 10 years for the past 5 years in the Maldives.
These men , raped, molested a girl of 5 years and continued to do so for 5 years.
Father, Abdulla Naeem AbduhRahmaan, 45 years ( Hdh. Naivadhu, kofeege) ; Uncle, Abdul Hakeem Mohamed, 52 years (Hdh. Naivadhu, Chambeyleege); Abdulla Ali , 73 years (Hdh. Naivadhu, thimarafusheege); Abdulla Shareef , 36 years (Tha. Thimarafushi, ahmedhee abad); Ahmed Mukhthar , 19 years (Hdh. Naivadhu, bahaaruge) and Ismail Mohamed , 52 years ( M. Baadhiya)
The old and the young, the father and the uncle .........what led these men to do this to a young and helpless child? What was this father thinking when he abused his own flesh and blood??
Did no one on the island know of what was happening to this young victim? Was she the only girl who fell victim to these vultures? Or are there more???
Did they think they could get away with such a crime??..Why were the islanders silent???
How many girls are being abused in the society like this??? Will we ever get to hear their voices?
How many mothers have advised their daughters to "remain silent because reporting it could damage the family reputation'?
That reporting sexual abuse 'could imprison the only breadwinner of the family leaving the rest of the family destitute'!!!
There fore....'turn a blind eye; close your eyes and withstand it until you can grow up and go away after you get married.......;' it has stopped now...so just don't make a big deal of it now....." are apparently some of the advice some parents have given their abused daughters
( source for the above quotes; personal letters sent to the author by victims of sexual abuse who read this blog)
( source for the above quotes; personal letters sent to the author by victims of sexual abuse who read this blog)
What a shame!!
11 comments:
For the sake of "looks" and how they would appear to their society, they would rather condemn a future mother of the state.
I too have talked to abuse victims, and their story is the same. For the sake of a "greater good", they are ignored and humiliated.
It is in such times that I ask myself - can such a culture be allowed to exist?.
You are correct when you say society is brainwashed into shrugging it off. Even my parents, fiercely religious conservatives, unfairly blame the girl for being "promiscuous".
However, it is with a heavy heart that I must admit that these pedophiles open a good business opportunity for me.
I would not feel any regret or moral excuse to slit the throat of the pedophile, in exchange for a warm, homemade meal from the victim. They are abominations upon our society and deserve to be slaughtered upon sight.
Very shocking!!!!
Do we have an emergency line to report abuse? Are there any safe homes that abused victims can stay after reporting the incident? Would anyone have the guts to report if they are to live with the abuser until he/she gets convicted of the crime..in most cases there is not enough evidence to convict most of these criminals..even if convicted the sentence is too lenient....It’s good to see more cases being reported and investigation going on.....but it’s sickening to see the faces of these inhuman creatures!
I am unaware of the existance of such help lines or safe home in the Maldives. But I assume that the childrens unit at the ministry have been doing a lot of work to deal with these problems and there are passionate people who work tirelessly to protect such children in this unit.Therefore, it is highly likely that they have a help line and a mechanism to offer safe environment for such children. Unfortunately, there is a gap in communication which may have been responsible for failing to provide this information to people like us and those all over the country who need this sort of information. May be a reader who is more informed can enlighten us on this. But I assume these to be in place, because they have been engaged in creating awareness and helping such children for a long time....
There is in fact an 'on call' number of the Ministry of Health and Family which can be reached 24/7 (7793676). Unfortunately, not many people are aware of this probably due to lack of information like Naaz mentioned.
On the brighter side though, many concerned citizens, children and parents alike have used this service to report incidences of abuse, neglect, domestic violence etc. The Ministry is also planning to launch a toll free child help line sometime in the near future.
The "Kuda kudhinge Hiyaa" in villingilli is the closest thing to a "safe home" we have in Maldives. The state will provide accommodation for those children who are in need of immediate protection. However due to safety concerns of the kids who are already there and due to lack of resources, they are not able to house older children.
I also acknowledge The Maldives Police Service for doing such a commendable job in raising awareness among children in the schools regarding this issue.
Dear Everybody
Lets not wallow in self pity. Let us find direction to our anger. Naaz I like the fact that you are asking questions. We need more questions. We need to prepare and ask a list of questions from the authorities. Call them up. Call the health ministry 3338887 ask about safe houses and protection for children. Ask what social and financial protection the Maldivian state can give the mother if she is prepared to come forward with information on her childs abuse. Ask the Human Rights Commision what they are doing. Ask your MP where it comes in his priority? Arent we in the best democracy when we proudly stand for the smallest and the weakest. Pick up the phone and call.
Dear Anonymous,
Thankyou for providing us with this information. I am sure there will be many who will call these numbers to ask the questions....
Thankyou
Child sexual abuse will persists as long as the people in authority is kept soooo ignorant as they are right now, making the public aware is 2nd priority. Right now what the police is soo ignorant that they take in the abuser with the victim into the same room for investigation!!!! how dumb and stupid can one get!!!!!!
I say so as I just experienced it with someone close to me and I have told the police that it is not possible for the victim to admit what the perpetrator did as long as the abuser is in front or in hearing distance as well, for abusers terrorise the victims beyond imagination for someone who had never gone through this.
It is high time the authority is educated on this topic as now CSA has become an everyday news topic in Maldives, and this is 0.1% of the cases which are being reported.
I am willing to prepare a program if I can get help for this NEEDS TO BE STOPPED in this little society we live
I am sorry anonymous who praised the works of the Police, but like I just said I totally disagree, just cops they do the awareness programs and all, that doesnt mean they are doing a good job, as their first priority should be dealing the cases that are handed to them, the abusers are handed to them, and f the abuser is not dealt in a way tat can calm the fears of the victims and survivors alike, what is the use of reporting?
they just now dragged the abuser and the victim insde the interrogation room together and the victim agreed with what the abuser says regarding the incident and thus the case is left, cos its not abuse after al, cos they were just teasing each other and nothing much, he just grabbed th hands of the victim and no other form of abuse happened[b] and the cops believe it!!![/b]
Dear Nisreen,
Thanks for sharing your experience and thoughts.I agree with you, there is lots and lots of work which needs to be done. Please prepare the program, if you want to publish this through this blog you can send it to my gmail address. You also will have my support, whenever, or however way you need it. I agree I DO not have an NGO or any institution to back my work. But as a concerned citizen, I have a will and determination to make what ever little difference I can. I believe if two individuals join in the effort this will be much more stronger.
Hope to hear from you and others who may have thoughts on this.
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