Girl in bullying video goes missing

Police have appealed for public assistance in the search for a 15-year-old girl who went missing last Sunday.

A video that was widely shared on social media last week shows the girl being bullied and repeatedly slapped by three other girls.

Nashfa Hassan was found to be missing when the police analysed the video, identified her and contacted the family.

The family told police they have been looking for her since August 19. But she was not reported as missing, police said in a press statement late Friday night.

Persons with information of her whereabouts were urged to contact the police family and child protection department at 3000600 or 9790163.

According to media reports, the bullying incident took place in May although the video went viral last week.

The girl’s mother told newspaper Mihaaru that her daughter had stopped going to school two months ago because of bullying.

The mother of seven moved to the capital’s suburb Hulhumalé with her children a year ago. Their father stayed back on their native Thinadhoo island in Gaaf Dhaal atoll.

Nashfa also went missing previously, said the mother, who blamed the police for not helping to find her.

“When I report they don’t give any attention so this time I did not report,” she was quoted as saying.

The viral video shows three young girls bullying Nashfa while a fourth person films them.

Photos and Facebook profiles of girls suspected to be the bullies are also circulating on social media but police declined to say whether they have been questioned or if any arrests have been made.