Maldives Police Service has launched an investigation into the sexual abuse of a five-year-old child.

Police told ONE Online tonight that a case of sexual abuse of a five-year-old child was reported from the middle-north atolls at 12:50 a.m. yesterday and an investigation is underway.

While the Local Council of the island where the assault took place have confirmed to ONE Online that such an incident had been reported, an official from the Health Center of the Island told ONE Online tonight that the child was brought to the hospital last night at 11:20 p.m.

The official said that the child was brought on due to pain in the genitals and the doctor did a medical checkup and ruled that the child had been sexually assaulted. Hence, it was reported to the police.