A senior Buddhist monk in Melbourne has been found guilty of multiple historical sex offences against six young girls at the Dhamma Sarana temple in Keysborough.
A County Court jury on Thursday found Naotunne Vijitha, the 70-year-old head monk of the temple, guilty of eight counts of sexual penetration of a child under 16 and nine counts of committing an indecent act with a child under 16. He was acquitted of one charge, while the jury continues to deliberate on another.
The offences occurred between 1994 and 2002. The monk, dressed in his saffron robes, showed no visible reaction as the verdicts were read, while supporters from the temple wept in the courtroom.
Under Victorian law, the crimes carry potential prison sentences of more than ten years.
During the trial, six women now in their 30s testified that Vijitha abused his position of authority and lured them into his living quarters at the temple’s former Springvale and current Keysborough premises, often using sweets as bait.
Prosecutors alleged that Vijitha digitally penetrated some victims and used objects such as a ruler and an eraser to assault others. Several victims also described instances of inappropriate touching.
Vijitha was charged in 2023 after multiple survivors came forward to police, having previously disclosed the abuse to friends and family.
His lawyer, Nicholas Papas KC, argued that Vijitha denied all allegations, claiming he could not recall some of the complainants or the alleged incidents. The defence questioned the credibility and physical plausibility of certain claims.
The final verdict is expected soon, after which prosecution and defence lawyers will make submissions on the sentence the ageing monk should serve.
