Seven employees of the Vilimale' Orphanage have been suspended in connection to the sexual abuse of a girl under the age of 18 who is staying at the orphanage.

Media Official of the Ministry of Gender, Family and Social Services has confirmed to One Online that the orphanage employees were suspended for one month and would be facing further action if required at the end of the inquiry. However, the official did not confirm as to exact nature of the case.

Sources have told One Online that the seven employees were suspended regarding a case of sexual abuse of a child at the orphanage on 12 June 2021.

On 14 June, a 25-year-old suspect was previously arrested for taking an underage girl from the orphanage to a private residence and raping her. However, the man has since been released. The child in that case was found inside the room of the suspect at his residence. And while the child is believed to have been raped, Maldives Police Service also found evidence of attempts to groom the child.