A Maldivian Court has, for the first time, allowed a victim of a sexual crime to give their 'Victim's Impact Statement'.
This landmark statment was read at the Hulhumale' Magistrate Court which concluded the trial of a henious crime against a child yesterday.
The case related to a victim (now 18) who was sexually abused by one individual on multiple occasions between the ages of 8 and 18.
The suspect of the case was convicted of the crime and was sentenced to 54 years in jail.
The Prosecutor General's Office said the victim had submitted a statement to the court through the agency explaining the impact of the incident on the victim's life.
The submission of a victim impact statement, according to the Prosecutor General's Office, is a practice in open and free democratic societies to empower and comfort victims.
The agency added that it is working towards a more victim-centered criminal justice system by increasing opportunities for victims.
A victim statement, also known as a victim impact statement or victim personal statement, is a written or oral statement that describes how a crime has affected a victim.
It allows the victim to share their experiences and emotional impact with the court, often during sentencing or parole hearings. The statement helps the court understand the consequences of the crime and can influence sentencing decisions
