Australian Federal Police (AFP) have contacted more than 120 families as they investigate alleged offending by a former Sydney childcare worker. The 35-year-old man has been charged with 329 offences allegedly committed over a 16-year period against 136 victims.
Details of Charges
The charges include 162 counts of producing child abuse material, 24 counts of using a child under 14 for the production of child abuse material, 22 counts of aggravated use of a child under 14 for the production of child abuse material, and 18 counts of intentionally sexually touching a child under 10 years old.
The AFP began investigating in June last year after a report about an online user uploading a file depicting child abuse. Police linked the man to the alleged activity and executed a search warrant in Glossodia, in Sydney's north-west. The man was arrested and charged in July, and his working with children accreditation was suspended.
Scope of Investigation
The man worked at or attended 62 early childhood education facilities, but mostly worked in Sydney's north-west. Police allege he committed multiple offences against children at five facilities, including four childcare centres and his own private business. If found guilty of aggravated use of a child under 14 for the production of child abuse material, the man could face up to 20 years in prison.
AFP Acting Commander Luke Needham said police had been in contact with 121 families, based around Australia and internationally, "who we have positively identified their child as being depicted in child abuse material." Needham said "all [alleged] offending occurred here in New South Wales" with "limited [alleged] offending that occurred in South Australia." He also noted the investigation involved "speaking to a family that have moved overseas."
Ongoing Identification Efforts
The acting commander also alleged the man shared abuse material overseas on three occasions during the offending. Needham confirmed on Monday evening there were 22 victims who "are yet to be positively identified." He urged the community to share any information with the AFP to help identify those remaining victims, referring them to the AFP's dedicated contact point which includes "all the listed employment locations of where this man has worked."
Operation Moonbi
"Operation Moonbi has spanned 12 months and involved the analysis of 2.4 million electronic files, 12 search warrants and countless hours trying to uncover the scale of the man's alleged offending," Needham said. "We urge any victim-survivors to seek support or talk to a trusted person if today's news has caused distress. The abuse of trust, we alleged, has occurred, is devastating, and will have lifelong ramifications for victims and their families," he added. "As a parent myself, I'm acutely aware of how distressing this news is."
In Australia, children, young adults, parents and teachers can contact the Kids Helpline on 1800 55 1800; adult survivors can seek help at Blue Knot Foundation on 1300 657 380. In the UK, the NSPCC offers support to children on 0800 1111, and adults concerned about a child on 0808 800 5000. The National Association for People Abused in Childhood (Napac) offers support for adult survivors on 0808 801 0331. In the US, call or text the Childhelp abuse hotline on 800-422-4453. Other sources of help can be found at Child Helpline International.
