A monk has been defrocked and sent to Takeo Provincial Court yesterday after being accused of sexually assaulting a 15-year-old girl on Sunday.

Chum Chhoeun, Prey Kabbas district police chief, told the Post yesterday morning that the monk, a 33-year-old who goes by Ev Ny or Cherm Mean, was defrocked after being questioned for several hours.

“According to the interrogation by monk officials, the monk admitted that he has committed sexual abuse of the victim,” he said.

The victim’s mother said yesterday that she and her husband brought their daughter to the monk, because she was sick and the monk was known for his healing powers. The assault allegedly occurred while she was being treated.

Hoy Som Oeun, a Ministry of Cults and Religion district director, said the parents were “irresponsible” and may have known what was going on.

The parents, however, are demanding 10 million riel (about $2,500) in compensation, the district police chief said.