A childcare worker in Melbourne has been arrested and charged with over 70 counts of alleged child abuse and other offences, leaving thousands of families in shock and demanding answers.
Joshua Brown, 26, worked at several early education centers in Melbourne before his arrest in May, when police allegedly found him in possession of child abuse material.
As a result, authorities have contacted thousands of families, recommending that 1200 children get tested for infectious diseases.
Sylvia Jeffreys Emotional Response to ‘Sickening’ Crime
Today Extra host Sylvia Jeffreys was overcome with emotion as she discussed the allegations, saying that this issue needs to be top of the government’s agenda.
“You don’t have to be a parent to understand how horrifying all of this is,” she said.
As a mother of two, Jeffreys’ sons attend daycare, and she couldn’t help but think of how easily her family could have found themselves in a similar situation.
“It is deeply disturbing, but it is not an isolated incident,” she said, wiping tears from her eyes.
A Call for Urgent Reforms in the Childcare Industry
Industry advocates are calling for urgent reforms, and Jeffreys agrees.
“The system has failed these families, the system has failed these children, and it has failed the many wonderful educators who work in the industry as well,” she said.
Jeffreys emphasized that nothing is more important than this issue right now. “There will be parents this morning who will feel reluctant to drop their child at daycare today, and that should never be the case,” she said.
Anybody with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or online.
A dedicated hotline has been established for families who believe their children may have fallen victim to Brown’s alleged crimes at 1800 791 241.
Support is also available from the National Sexual Assault, Domestic and Family Violence Counselling Service at 1800RESPECT (1800 737 732).