Victorian Premier ‘sickened’ by abuse charges against childcare worker

Victorian Premier, Jacinta Allan, has issued a public statement following the disclosure of details surrounding the arrest and charging of 26-year-old childcare worker, Joshua Brown, with more than 70 child sexual abuse offences relating to eight alleged victims aged between five months and two years old.

The charges relate to eight children enrolled at the Creative Garden Early Learning Centre in Point Cook between April 2022 and January 2023.

Police say Mr Brown had also worked with at least 20 other childcare centres across Melbourne between January 2017 and May this year.

The Premier said she was “sickened” by the abuse allegations.

“They are shocking and distressing,” she said.

“My heart breaks for those families who are living every parent’s worst nightmare.

“And as a parent, I can only imagine the unbearable plain and distress the affected families are feeling.

The Premier said “every health and mental health support” would be provided to the victims’ families.

“Families who may have been affected have been contacted directly, and a dedicated hotline has been set up to provide advice and support.”

On 12 May, Victoria Police arrested and charged Mr Brown, who was remanded and has remained in custody since that time.

The charges include:

• Sexual Penetration of a Child Under 12;
• Attempted Sexual Penetration of a Child Under 12;
• Sexual Assault of a Child Under 16;
• Sexual Activity in Presence of a Child Under 16;
• Produce Child Abuse Material for use through a carriage service;
• Use Carriage Service to Transmit Child Abuse Material;
• Possess Child Abuse Material for Use Through a Carriage Service;
• Recklessly Contaminate Goods to Cause Alarm or Anxiety;
• Use Carriage Service to Offend;
• Use Carriage Service to Cause Child Abuse Material to be Transmitted to Self.

Since his arrest, Victoria Police say a significant investigation has taken place led by detectives from the Sexual Crimes Squad assisted by a number of specialist investigators.

Police say the families of the eight victims have been notified and have been provided with “all available support services”.

“This is an incredibly distressing and confronting investigation for all involved and I know many members of the community will hear this news and feel enormously concerned,” said Crime Command Acting Commander Janet Stevenson.

“The most important thing for our investigators was that we needed to identify the victims involved. These are some of the most vulnerable members of our community and the conversations police have had to have with their families were no doubt life changing in the worst possible way.

“Detectives have been working alongside a range of agencies during this investigation to ensure as much information has been provided to impacted parties as soon as possible.”

As part of the ongoing investigation, detectives are also examining evidence of an allegation of offending at a second childcare centre which is based in Essendon.

Investigators are working with a range of other agencies including the Department of Health, Commission for Children and Young Persons, Family Safety Victoria, Department of Families, Fairness and Housing, Gatehouse, Department of Education, and the Royal Children’s Hospital to ensure the right support services are in place and that families are given as much information as possible about the process from here.

Families who had children placed at the impacted centres during the time of the man’s employment are in the process of being contacted.

While the alleged offences the man has currently been charged with are limited to one childcare centre at this time, families who had children placed at any of the centres during the periods of the man’s employment are in the process of being contacted.

“There will be people in the community who hear this news and feel very concerned about their own children. Parents who had a child at a centre at the time of the man’s employment are being notified today and a website has been set up by the Victorian Government with further information for impacted families,” said Acting Commander Stevenson.

“We know there are potentially people out there who have information about this investigation that they wish to pass on to police. This may be people who had children at a centre where the man worked or staff who may have worked with him and noticed particular behaviours. If you do have information then we urge you to contact Crime Stoppers.

“There is also a number of support services available for people who have been impacted by this matter. Investigators are working closely with the families of victims to ensure they are well supported during this difficult time.”

At this stage it is believed all of the alleged offending has taken place within Victoria.

Police say there is no evidence at this time to suggest any other staff member at any centre is involved in this matter.

Premier Allan said the State’s early childhood education regulator will commence an immediate investigation into the conduct of early education providers in which the alleged offender had worked.

“I want to make it clear to our Early Childhood workforce that I know the alleged actions of a single individual do not reflect the many dedicated and professional childcare educators and staff, who go above and beyond to care for and teach children,” she said.

The Premier said Minister for Children, Lizzie Blandthorn was working closely with the Commonwealth Government and other State and Territory Governments to implement national changes to improve safety, strengthen regulations and increase penalties.

“If there are further changes that can be made, we will take every action within our power to keep Victorian children safe.”

“I want to finish by acknowledging and thanking the Victoria Police officers, public health officials and all others who have been tireless working to support the affected families at this most distressing of times,” said Ms Allan.

The Victorian Government has set up a website with further health information for impacted families at https://www.vic.gov.au/childcare-centres-investigation.

Mr Brown is due to appear at Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on 15 September.

Childcare centres where the alleged offender worked: