There are growing calls for a national inquiry into Australia's childcare sector after a Victorian worker was charged with dozens of child sexual abuse offences. Victoria police announced on Tuesday that Point Cook resident Joshua Brown, 26, had been charged with more than 70 offences relating to eight alleged victims aged between five months and two years.
More than 1,200 children will now be tested for infectious diseases following the charges. While Brown is yet to enter a plea and the allegations are yet to be tested in court, parent advocacy groups, politicians and the child protection organisation Bravehearts have called for a national review of child protection protocols and more rigorous screening, monitoring and reporting systems.
Professor Michael Salter, director of Childlight UNSW, said: 'Systematically, in Australia, we have real challenges around investigating and prosecuting the sexual abuse of very young children. I think this is a particularly vulnerable group of victims of sexual violence.' He added: 'We need a national inquiry into child maltreatment in childcare. We need a targeted, focused inquiry to make sure children are getting the care they deserve.'
National children's commissioner Anne Hollonds accused the system of having 'absolutely' failed families, stating: 'Child safety and wellbeing is not a priority in this country.' The Greens have called for a royal commission into safety and equality in the early childhood education system, while Liberal senator Jonno Duniam urged the government to 'urgently review Australia's child safety safeguards – including those under the national quality framework.'
