Department of Human Services psychologist Hong Lay sexually assaulted underage girls
Trusted psychologist Hong Lay abused his Centrelink position to sexually assault two underage girls in need of NDIS help — but will serve just six months in jail.
South East
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A depraved Department of Human Services psychologist who sexually assaulted two young female patients he was assessing for NDIS eligibility will only be in jail for six months.
Hong Lay, 41, was sentenced in the County Court on October 7 after pleading guilty to two charges of sexual assault.
Lay was working at Pakenham Centrelink office in April, 2017 when he interviewed the two victims during separate meetings.
Lay initially interviewed both girls in the presence of their mothers but then privately examined the girls in a room which did not have CCTV.
He conducted a physical examination on both girls while alone in a “staff only” area of the Pakenham office.
The court heard he asked inappropriate questions such as “do you have a boyfriend” and “are you a virgin” to one of his victims and performed lewd acts on both underage girls.
He then pretended to write something down on a piece of paper before returning the girls to their mothers.
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Lay was arrested and charged for one of the offences in May, 2017.
He told police one of his victim’s said she was having a panic attack which is why he physically examined the girl.
He was arrested for the offences against his second victim in January, 2018.
Victim impact statements submitted by the girls and their families outlined the “severe harm” he had caused.
One girl said she was “frightened and confused”, and suffered from panic attacks and distress.
She said she trusted Lay but now “continues to be afraid of people in authority”.
Her mother said she suffers “guilt” and “anxiety” while trying to deal with her daughter’s trauma.
The second girl said she feels “scared” and her relationship with her parents has been “strained”.
Lay, a former Lifeline counsellor, had worked for Centrelink for seven years up until his arrest.
Judge Michael Cahill said he hoped Lay would reflect on the effect his offending had on his victims and their families.
“Sexual offending against children is very serious,” Judge Cahill said
“Your victims were vulnerable and you abused your power to exploit them for your sexual gratification, you have caused them severe harm.”
However, Judge Cahill took into account Lay’s early guilty plea, his eventual remorse, the delay in the case, the hardship of prison and the fact he won’t ever be able to work as a psychologist again when sentencing.
Lay will be placed on a two-year community corrections order on his release.
He was also placed on the sex offender registry for 15 years.