Perth "Life Coach" Benjamin Wen, Formerly Known as Psychiatrist Aaron Voon, Faces Multiple Sexual Abuse Charges of Involving Children

December 13, 2021

A former Perth psychiatrist charged with the alleged sexual abuse of children has been granted bail.

Benjamin Wen — formerly known as Dr. Aaron Voon — appeared before the Perth Magistrates Court this morning.

He was charged by specialist child sex abuse officers after they received information about his conduct at work between 2012 and 2016.

Police identified nine victims after executing search warrants at addresses linked to Mr. Wen, with investigators seizing several items.

He has been charged with seven counts of indecent dealings with a child under 13 years and two counts of indecent dealings with a child aged between 13 and 16 years.

Parents witnessed alleged offending, court hears

The police prosecutor, Sargeant Mike O'Leary, told the court the charges all related to patients who Mr. Wen treated between 2012 and 2016.

He alleged Mr. Wen would prescribe them medication and then conduct a physical exam, during which time he would touch their genitals.

Sergeant O'Leary said that, in some cases, parents were in the room and witnessed the alleged offending.

But Mr. Wen denied those accusations when spoken to by police, according to Sergeant O'Leary.

A lawyer leaves court holding a file

Mr. Wen's lawyer, Anthony Elliott, told the court his client had previously been charged with making videos of boys urinating.

He was handed a suspended sentence by the District Court for those charges in 2016.

Mr. Elliott said, in sentencing Mr. Wen that year, District Court Judge Alan Troy had noted the "substantial contribution" to the community that Mr. Wen had made as child psychiatrist.

He said Mr. Wen has autism spectrum disorder, which was one of his areas of practice, as well as obsessive compulsive disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder, which was related to his previous interactions with the legal system.

Mr. Elliott said one of the reasons Mr. Wen was not sent to prison on his previous conviction was because it would have a greater effect on his mental health than an ordinary person.

"Any refusal of bail will have very serious adverse health effects," he said.

Wen now advocate and life coach

Mr. Elliott told the court Mr. Wen gave up his practice after the previous offence, and that he now acts as an autism advocate and life coach.

"He now provides services to adults who are also sufferers of autism spectrum disorder," he said.

Police seized all of Mr. Wen's devices and medical records, including his phone and a backup hard drive as part of their investigation.

In court, police said files on those devices would need to be examined.

However, the police prosecutor said that one line of inquiry police were looking at was what he described as a "clandestine business premises", which involved a "degree of deception".

Sergeant O'Leary said that Mr. Wen had admitted to providing "consulting" services, including to parents who had children with autism.

Benjamin Wen has been charged with nine counts of indecently dealing with children. (News Video)

More victims likely to come forward, say police

Sergeant O'Leary said the investigation was continuing, and that officers involved in the investigation thought it was likely more victims would come forward.

He said there was one matter, in particular, that was being investigated that could lead to a similar charge being laid.

There were also concerns Mr. Wen could contact witnesses or former clients, and so police would oppose bail.

Sergeant O'Leary also said Mr. Wen was a flight risk and regularly travelled interstate, and that he was a potential risk to the community.

However, Mr. Elliott denied that suggestion.

"There is no allegation [that] Mr. Wen has any contact with children, [nor] that he has offended against children in any way since his last conviction," he said.

Accused released on strict bail conditions

The magistrate said Mr. Wen's case for bail was "marginal" but said that, while his health was a relevant consideration, community safety was likely more important.

However, he said, those concerns could be dealt with by strict bail conditions, including that he not contact a list of protected persons.

His parents, as well as other family members, were in court.

Mr. Wen will have to remain at his parents' home, or with them, at all times as part of his bail conditions.

He will not have access to the internet, except to have contact with his lawyer.  He was also required to surrender his passport, and would not be allowed to leave the state without the permission of police.

Mr. Wen is due back in court on January 27.

Source: Keane Bourke, “Ex-Perth psychiatrist Benjamin Wen, formerly Aaron Voon, granted bail after allegedly sexually abusing children,” ABC News, Dec. 11, 2021, URL: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-12-11/perth-psychiatrist-benjamin-wen-sexually-abused-children/100693390