President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih has stated the primary cause of sexual abuse of children as delayed justice and negligence of the judicial system.
Delivering the presidential address at the parliament, President Solih said negligence of respective authorities encourage the culprits to resort to such heinous crimes. The president also expressed his grief over the abuse of a two-year-old by his guardians who have been tasked with providing a safe and a conducive environment for the child. He accredited delayed justice and negligence of authorities as the primary cause of the offenders to repeatedly abuse children.
President Solih further stated cases of child offenders sent to courts in 2012 still remains incomplete. He expressed once the Child Protection Act becomes effective on the 20th of this month, protecting the rights of children from sex-offenders and negligence will be more effective. He highlighted the law is coming into effect in his administration following a long wait of over 28 years.
The president remarked the new Child Protection Act does not allow for parents to deprive children from vaccination, education and proper documentation such as birth certificates. He said it will be mandatory to provide proper vaccination and education for all children.