SIEM REAP On May 12th, the Siem Reap provincial court pronounced a verdict against Mr. Garry Mulroy, 64, a former Australian teacher, sentencing him to 2 years in jail and ordering him to pay a fine of 3 million Riel (approx. $US 750) for “Indecent act against a minor under 15 years” as stated under Article 43 of the Law on Suppression of Human Trafficking and Sexual Exploitation. He was also standing trial for purchase of child prostitution, but charges were dropped.
Mulroy established an education center in his house where his victims, aged 11 to 14 years old, were groomed and sexually abused. He also provided food and accommodation for these boys and monetary assistance to their families. Mulroy is currently serving his imprisonment term in full at the Siem Reap prison.
APLE, its partner organisation and the Siem Reap provincial Department of Social Affairs, Veterans and Youth Rehabilitation provided social support for the victims and their families in collaboration with the local authority. The case was also closely monitored by the provincial Committee for Counter Trafficking in Persons, a multi-disciplinary government-led body assigned to prevent and respond to all human trafficking related issues.
Seila Samleang, APLE Executive Director, said that “The sentencing is a lenient one in my opinion. The more serious charge was dropped. All the victims were not awarded compensation, given the civil claims were not pursued by their families, unfortunately. However, the outcome of this case is applaudable. We commend the effort of all the parties involved who’ve worked tremendously hard to ensure a positive result.”
