The Provincial Court in Takeo, on September 9, continued hearings in a child sexual abuse case against the accused monk, involving three underage boys. The defendant did not appear, though his defense counsel was present.
All child victims attended the session and provided testimony. The children were supported by a counselor from LICADHO. Despite the defendant’s absence, the proceedings moved forward, with the presiding judge, the prosecutor, and lawyers for both sides.
APLE has provided social and psychosocial support to the child victims and their families, including psychological counseling, case management, safety planning, court accompaniment, and child-friendly preparation for testimony. APLE also advocated for trauma‑informed, child‑centric court procedures, such as measures to minimize re‑traumatization and protect the children’s privacy, and coordinated with LICADHO, prosecutors, and social services to keep the children’s best interests at the center of the proceedings.
The hearing concluded and the court scheduled its verdict announcement for October 22, 2025.
