20-6-2023 (MALE) In a distressing incident, a 26-year-old Chinese student studying in Australia has come forward to accuse a butler at a luxurious resort in the Maldives of raping and assaulting her during her stay on June 6th. The victim, identified by her Twitter handle XuYitong, took to social media to share images of her injuries and made serious allegations against the hotel staff. She claimed that her computer and towels, which were stained with the perpetrator’s semen, were confiscated by the hotel staff. Shockingly, she further alleged that instead of addressing her concerns, the hotel staff accused her of fabricating the incident in an attempt to obtain a complimentary stay and asked her to leave without offering an apology.
As of now, The Ritz-Carlton Maldives has refrained from releasing any official statement regarding the matter. Meanwhile, the Maldivian police have confirmed that they are actively investigating the rape allegation. Although they have collected samples for forensic analysis, no arrests have been made even after 12 days since the incident occurred. The victim has expressed her dissatisfaction with the slow progress of the local police investigation and revealed that her complaint was initially ignored until the Chinese embassy in the Maldives intervened on her behalf.
According to the victim’s account, a hotel staff member named Usham was assigned to assist her during her stay. However, she alleges that Usham sexually assaulted her and ejaculated on her computer screen before leaving the room. The shocking incident has triggered widespread outrage on social media, with numerous individuals expressing their support for the victim and condemning both the hotel and the local police for their handling of the case. The Maldives, renowned for its opulent resorts and pristine beaches, has enjoyed significant popularity among Chinese tourists in recent years.
I was raped in the Maldives. I don’t know how many people this will reach to but help me get help. I arrived in the Maldives on the 6th. I was to return to China on the 10th but i extended mg stay and decided to stay at the @RCMaldives pic.twitter.com/Sw97N5j6qI
— XuYitong (@YolyYitong) June 18, 2023
In response to the incident, authorities in the Maldives are now facing mounting pressure to address safety concerns and uphold the country’s reputation as a secure and welcoming destination. Historically, sexual violence has been treated as a private matter in the Maldives. However, there has been a growing demand for the state to confront instances of sexual violence. A notable case of attempted rape on a safari boat in the harbor of Hulhumale in June 2020 sparked public protests and prompted lawmakers to propose amendments to laws related to sexual violence.
In 2021, President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih ratified the First Amendment to the Sexual Offences Act, which aimed to enhance the definition of rape by including marital rape without exceptions. The amendment also strengthened investigations by eliminating burdensome evidence requirements. Furthermore, it mandated the provision of rape evidence kits at all government hospitals and health centers and emphasized training staff in adopting a “victim-centered and trauma-informed” approach, including the proper utilization of rape evidence kits.
