An SA Child Protection Department employee has been arrested on serious child sex abuse charges

A SA Child Protection Department employee has been arrested for allegedly sexually assaulting a boy in her care.

A South Australian Child Protection Department employee has been arrested on serious child sex abuse charges after allegedly sexually assaulting a boy in her care, 7NEWS reported on Friday.

The woman was reportedly questioned by detectives and granted bail, with the network confronting the carer as she left the Elizabeth police station.

The alleged victim, who was a teenager in state care at the time of the abuse, said it lasted years.

“It should never happen,” he told 7NEWS.

“The Department for Child Protection are meant to be there to protect children but they never protect me. They didn’t protect me at all.”

A South Australian Child Protection Department employee has been arrested on serious child sex abuse charges. Picture: 7NEWS

The victim said he told the woman to stop but was too afraid to go to the authorities because he thought he would not be believed.

“Being that vulnerable and not being protected, was just absolutely horrifying,” he said.

“I don’t feel like I can trust anyone. Even some of my friends, I don’t feel like I can trust.

“That trust was broken by someone who was meant to protect me and who was meant to care for me.”

The network said the department has refused to say whether the accused woman is still caring for children or if she has been stood down.

Instead, they told 7NEWS that they don’t comment on police matters.