Former Child Psychiatrist on Trial in Perth for Alleged Indecent Dealings

Benjamin Wen, 52, is on trial in the District Court of Western Australia, facing 18 charges related to alleged indecent dealings with 15 former patients. The alleged offenses are said to have occurred between 2012 and 2016, while Wen was practicing as a child psychiatrist under the name Aaron Voon.

The Charges

The charges against Wen include:

• Indecently dealing with a child under 13.
• Persistently engaging in sexual conduct with a child under 16.

Background: Prior Convictions

In 2017, while known as Aaron Voon, Wen was convicted of eight child exploitation offenses in Western Australia for filming boys in public toilets internationally.

Following those 2017 convictions, his psychiatric practice was closed.

The Prosecution's Case

Prosecutor Tracy Tan outlined the allegations for the jury. The prosecution contends that during medical appointments, Wen touched the genitals of boys, describing the acts as "puberty checks."

Tan stated the alleged touching was direct and not explained to the patients or their parents, and that proper consent was not obtained.

The prosecution argues that while measurements like height and weight might have been necessary, "so-called puberty checks" were not legitimate medical procedures.

Tan noted that Wen's prior convictions are relevant to the question of whether he had a sexual interest in boys' genitals, but emphasized they do not determine guilt for the current charges.

Testimony from a Former Patient

One former patient, who was about 11 or 12 during treatment, testified about his appointments with Wen (then known as Voon).

• He stated Wen measured his heart rate and height, pressed on his stomach, and rubbed his feet.
• He testified that Wen also touched his "penis and balls" for what he described as "seconds" or "a long time, seconds."
• The former patient said he felt uncomfortable with Wen.

Testimony from a Parent

The patient's mother also testified.

• She stated she was not asked for consent for Wen to touch her son in the groin area and that she felt she "wasn't given a choice."
• She testified the family stopped attending the clinic in 2016 after receiving an email from the clinic stating something "terrible" had happened.

The Defense's Position

Wen's lawyer, Anthony Elliott, addressed the jury, asking jurors not to rush to judgment regarding the current charges.

Current Status

The trial is ongoing. A verdict has not been reached.