Former Buddhist monk jailed for 13 years over abuse of six girls

A former Buddhist monk who sexually abused six young girls three decades ago has been sentenced to 13 years in prison.

The offending dates back about 30 years. The victims were all young children at the time. The case has now reached its conclusion with a lengthy custodial sentence for the man, who held a position of religious standing when the abuse took place.

The sentence reflects the number of victims and the seriousness of the crimes. Offences against children carry some of the heaviest penalties in the criminal justice system, and courts have repeatedly stressed that the passage of time does not lessen the harm done to survivors or the responsibility of those who caused it.

The case is another example of how long it can take for child sexual abuse to come to light. Many survivors do not disclose what happened to them for years, and often decades. Fear, shame, confusion and the influence of an adult in a trusted role can all keep a child silent. When people eventually come forward as adults, police and prosecutors can still pursue charges, and historical offences are routinely tried in Australian courts.

Trusted positions, including those within religious communities, can make it harder for children to speak up and for families to recognise warning signs. Child safety advocates have long called for strong protections, clear reporting pathways and a culture in which concerns raised about any adult in authority are taken seriously and acted upon.

For the six women who were abused as girls, the sentence marks the end of a long road to a court outcome. Survivors of historical abuse often describe the process of reporting, giving evidence and waiting for a verdict as exhausting, even when the result is a conviction. Support services say recognition by the courts can be an important step for many, though healing is rarely simple or quick.

Further details of the case, including the full circumstances of the offending and the minimum time the man must serve before he can be considered for release, were not included in the information available at the time of writing.

Anyone affected by the issues in this story can seek confidential support. 1800RESPECT (1800 737 732) provides counselling for people impacted by sexual assault, and Lifeline (13 11 14) offers crisis support around the clock. In an emergency, call Triple Zero (000).

Readers who are concerned about the safety of a child, or who wish to report an offence, can contact their local police or the relevant child protection authority in their state or territory.