Police probe staff sexual assault allegations at Shangri-La resort

Police are investigating allegations that a female member of staff at the Shangri-La Vilingilli resort in Addu Atoll was sexually assaulted by a colleague.

The Maldives Police Service confirmed to Minivan News that it was investigating a complaint from a young woman working at the resort that she had been sexually assaulted by a co-worker. Police added that no one has been held or arrested at present over the allegations.

Police Sub-Inspector Ahmed Shiyam said that according to the investigation, the alleged victim, who worked at a bar on the resort, had reported feeling unwell after drinking an alcoholic drink and was helped to her room by another member of staff.

According to police, upon being returned to her room, the alleged victim claimed that she had not been unaware of any assault upon herself.

However, Shiyam said that other sources had later come forward to claim that some sexual activity was believed to have occurred in the room involving the alleged victim.

“She doesn’t have any recollection and wasn’t aware of any sexual assault occurring, although someone in the room said they had witnessed something happening,” he added.

After raising the issue with resort management, the girl was taken to hospital, though police claimed that no injuries or indication of a possible sexual assault had been found so far.

“We have not arrested any one so far [in relation to the investigations] and the victim does not appear to have been injured,” he said. “We sent one officer to the resort and he couldn’t find any evidence related to the complaint made to police.”

Earlier this morning, a spokesperson for Hithadhoo Police Station also confirmed that an alleged sexual assault at the Shangri-La resort was under investigation.

Management at Shangri-La’s Villingili Resort and Spa confirmed the investigation was taking place. Resort General Manager Jens Moesker told Minivan News that a male member of staff had been questioned by police over his suspected involvement in the alleged assault, believed to have taken place on Saturday night (May 7).

Moesker claimed that the ongoing police investigation was being viewed as an isolated incident. He added that the company would wait for authorities to conclude their work before considering any operational changes for staff at the site.

“We need to wait for the outcome of the investigation before making any decisions on possible changes at the site,” he said. “If the [police] investigation highlights the need for any reviews of our systems we would certainly do this.”

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