SHAH ALAM - Amirul Arif Mohd Yunos, a child psychiatrist at the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS), Dublin, Ireland, was sentenced to eight and a half years in prison for sexually abusing a teenage girl.
The case, which has raised significant concerns about the safety of vulnerable children in mental health services, revealed a pattern of grooming and manipulation that began when the victim was just 14 years old.
Grooming and Manipulation
The abuse escalated over time, starting with inappropriate touching before culminating in violent sexual assaults.
Amirul, who is believed to be from a prominent Malaysian family, exploited his position of authority, telling the girl that her body was ‘a form of payment’ for his therapy services.
He would send her violent pornography, referring to their encounters as ‘biology lessons’ and threatened her by claiming that no one would believe her if she spoke out due to his professional status.
The girl's mother recounted the horrifying tactics claimed to be used by Amirul.
"He enjoyed seeing blossoming girls suffer in his hands as it made him feel more dominant and powerful.
"This manipulation left the girl feeling isolated and dependent on him, leading to severe psychological consequences including depression, PTSD and suicidal ideation,” she claimed.
Impact on the Victim
The psychological toll on the girl has been devastating. Following the conclusion of Amirul's criminal case, she attempted suicide three times in one week.
Her mother described how the abuse transformed her once bright and high-achieving daughter into someone who now struggles with severe mental health issues.
The grooming process included buying expensive gifts and encouraging the girl to lie to her parents about their meetings.
Amirul alledgedly even instructed her on how to sneak into his office undetected, demonstrating a calculated effort to maintain control over her.
Legal Proceedings and Sentencing
Amirul pleaded guilty to multiple charges, including engaging in sexual acts with a minor and sexual exploitation.
However, questions arose regarding why he was not charged with rape, given the violent nature of his actions.
With time already served and potential remission, he could be released in under five years and subsequently deported to Malaysia.
The girl's parents expressed their outrage at the leniency of the sentence and raised concerns about other vulnerable children who may have been at risk during Amirul's tenure at CAMHS.
"We would absolutely be worried she was not his only victim,” her mother emphasised.
Family Reactions and Community Concerns
Last week, the court heard testimonials from Amirul's family, both in Malaysia and Ireland.
These included statements from his wife, sister, father and father-in-law in Malaysia, alongside support from his Irish-based sister, brother-in-law and his mother, who travelled from Malaysia to attend.
The show of support from Amirul's family during the trial further fuelled the victim's family's outrage.
"He is from an influential family in Malaysia. We are disgusted by his family and others who wrote testimonials of good character for him.
"It is scary to think of how much tolerance these people have towards such sadistic crimes against a child,” the girl's mother said.
The Health Service Executive (HSE) expressed its horror at the events and assured that they had followed all necessary protocols once they became aware of the situation. They placed Amirul on leave immediately after learning about the investigation.
A Call for Vigilance
As the victim begins her long journey toward recovery, her family remains vigilant about ensuring that other children are protected from similar abuses in the future. They believe that speaking out is crucial for justice.
"If a 15-year-old can bring down a powerful 38-year-old psychiatrist to justice, other women and children can too,” her mother said.