Childcare abuse charges: “Keeping children safe is a collective responsibility”

We must engage in the difficult but necessary conversations that lead to greater awareness, stronger safeguards, and more accountable systems. Every child deserves to be safe, and families must be able to trust that the institutions and protections designed to support them are effective and vigilant.   

CEO of the National Centre for Child Sexual Abuse, Dr Janine Bush stated, “These latest reports of child sexual abuse in childcare settings are deeply distressing. Families must be able to trust the services they rely on. Everyone working with children needs effective training to recognise risks and respond before harm occurs. Workforces must be equipped with the knowledge, skills and confidence essential to protect children and young people.”   

The National Centre remains committed to strengthening workforce capability and improving responses to child sexual abuse across Australia. Through ongoing sector engagement, research partnership projects and development of evidence-based practice resources, we aim to build safer environments for every child.  

Recently, the National Centre was represented by its Acting Director, Practice Development and Engagement as part of a panel of experts in Early Childhood Australia’s webinar, Children’s Safety and Safeguarding in Early Childhood Settings.  

During this webinar, the National Centre reinforced the critical need for prevention efforts that help all adults recognise signs of child sexual abuse, take action and respond appropriately when a child discloses or when abuse is discovered. In cases of disclosure, immediate and decisive action is essential to prevent further harm and ensure safety and wellbeing. 

“Keeping children safe is a collective responsibility and the more we talk about child sexual abuse, the more we educate ourselves and others, and the more we put practical preventative measures in place, the more confident and capable we become as a community to help prevent child sexual abuse.”   

National Centre CEO, Dr Janine Bush, stated that “We welcome the Commonwealth Government’s introduction of legislation on 23 July 2025 as an important first step toward strengthening accountability in early childhood education. The power to withhold funding from childcare centres that don’t meet the National Quality Standards or that pose safety risks to children sends a clear signal that safeguarding is non-negotiable. 

“We know there is more work ahead. We look forward to hearing about the outcomes of the Education Ministers’ Meeting in August where key reforms are being progressed with states and territories – including mandatory child safety training for educators and a nationwide register of early educators”.   

“These proposed reforms reinforce the urgency and importance of the National Centre’s work. We remain committed to supporting educators, organisations and communities to provide evidence-based resources informed by victims and survivors to strengthen capability, embed safe practices and help prevent and respond to child sexual abuse.” 

• Access our evidence-based child sexual abuse resources and practice tools
• Learn more about our partnership project, ‘Understanding best practice and the role of professionals in preventing child sexual abuse and harmful sexual behaviours’
•  Learn more about our partnership project, ‘Best practice for parent-focused child sexual abuse prevention education in early childhood’
• Watch the recording of Early Childhood Australia’s webinar, ‘Children’s Safety and Safeguarding in Early Childhood Settings’