Father detained for beating child as mother testifies against him

A father has been ordered to be held at a custodial jail following his arrest on suspicion of beating his own child.

The suspect, a 39-year-old from the Maldivian capital, was produced at the Criminal Court on Wednesday for his remand hearing.

At the hearing, the investigative officer said the man, who has a history of prior arrests and detention, beat one of his children – an allegation that the man denied.

The court found the evidence, which includes the statement from the police, the statement from the victim’s mother and the incident report, adequate to warrant the suspicion against him, and ordered for him to be held in a custodial jail for 15 days.

In December, the Social and Family Development received reports of 65 incidents of violence against children, including 14 cases of neglect, 12 cases of physical abuse, and 10 cases of sexual abuse.