Melbourne childcare charges: National Centre urges immediate government action to prevent child sexual abuse

On 1 July 2025, Victoria Police identified a childcare worker charged with 70 sexual offences against children in 20 childcare centres across Melbourne.  

The Department of Health and Victoria Police have contacted the families of children who attended the childcare centres during the alleged offender’s employment. Some of these children may have been exposed to an infectious disease, and their families may have been advised to have them undergo testing as a precaution. 

“Child sexual abuse in any circumstances is deeply distressing, and to hear allegations of children being harmed in services that families trust and rely on is a betrayal of that trust.” – Janine Bush, Chief Executive Officer, National Centre for Action on Child Sexual Abuse.

Every child has the right to be safe in childcare services, and families need to have confidence in the systems and safeguards designed to protect their children.

The National Centre highlights the importance of commonwealth, state and territory governments taking joint responsibility and acting urgently. “Governments must work together to ensure a national response to child sexual abuse, to protect all children from harm and ensure that victims and survivors are supported to heal and recover.”

There are tangible actions that can be taken now to implement existing recommendations. “We need governments to urgently action outstanding recommendations from previous reviews and inquiries, including the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse. Ten years ago, the Royal Commission recommended improvements to the Working with Children Check system, including a consistent, coordinated national approach. Serious flaws were found in Victoria’s Working with Children Check Scheme in 2022. It is time to act on what we know works – prioritising preventative measures that drive sector-wide responsibility,” says the National Centre’s CEO.

“Preventing child sexual abuse and its lifelong impacts requires strong oversight of services and effective screening in organisations. It is vital that systems and settings are in place to ensure all childcare centres are meeting stringent safety and quality standards, that the regulator has the right tools to respond and that there is proper information sharing across Australian jurisdictions. This is vital to ensure child sexual abuse is prevented, detected and acted on.”

“Workforces need to be empowered with the knowledge, skills and confidence essential to protect children and young people from child sexual abuse. It is vital that all educators have effective training on child sexual abuse as part of their education and in ongoing professional development to recognise risks and protect children before they are harmed.”

A public health response has been stood up, including a dedicated health advice and support hotline. Head here for more information.