Greens call for royal commission after childcare worker’s alleged sexual abuse

Victorian health authorities have recommended that approximately 1,200 children be tested for infectious diseases over allegations that a childcare worker sexually abused children during his tenure.

“Distressing” revelations have been made by the Victorian Police who charged a former childcare worker with over 70 offences – including sexual assault and producing child abuse material.

As reported by ABC, former childcare worker Joshua Dale Brown was arrested by the Sexual Crimes Squad of the Victorian Police in relation to alleged sexual offending against eight children under his care at Creative Gardens Early Learning Centre between April 2022 and January 2023.

According to detectives, the offending occurred between April 2022 and January 2023, with the alleged victims aged between five months and two years of age.

“I will say from the outset that this is an incredibly distressing investigation, and the information we are going to provide today is particularly confronting as it involved offences [allegedly] committed against some of our vulnerable people in our community,” Deputy Commissioner Wendy Steendam said in a statement, according to ABC.

The allegations of sexual abuse include sexual penetration of a child, contaminating goods to cause alarm, and producing child abuse material. Due to the allegations, health authorities recommended that the 1,200 children connected to the case be tested for potential diseases.

Greens’ early childhood education spokesperson, Senator Steph Hodgins-May, reignited a call for a royal commission into safety and equality within the early childhood sector as a whole.

“How many more horror stories from across the country need to emerge for the government to recognise the ongoing and systemic nature of abuse allegations within our childcare centres?

“We can’t keep looking away. The government must establish a royal commission to uncover the scale of the crisis and chart a way forward to keep our kids safe,” Hodgins-May said.

Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan spoke on the “sickening allegations” – launching an investigation and review into the check and current regulatory systems.

Victorian Greens early childhood education spokesperson Anasina Gray-Barberio MLC said: “We have heard the childcare sector in Victoria is deeply flawed, lacking transparency and oversight, and leaving the door open for abuse and neglect.”

“Everyone rightfully concerned for their children’s safety today needs answers.”

Speaking on the allegations, Kathleen Maltzahn, chief executive of Sexual Assault Services Victoria, said: “Responding to child sexual abuse requires more than a law and order or health system response. Cases like this impact the whole community. Children and families impacted deserve and require a holistic and child-centred specialist sexual violence trauma-responsive approach.”

“Our response is vital. Experts know that lasting impact is usually caused when children don’t get the help they need after sexual harm. Where parents and authorities respond well, children can and do recover, heal and thrive. We know by being loving, supporting and believing, we prevent the impacts of trauma.”