Education Department ‘managing’ incident where boy, 4, sexually abuses other children at regional SA kindergarten

A FOUR-year-old boy is under constant supervision at a regional South Australian kindergarten after abusing younger children in what he called “sex games”, according to a leading child protection advocate.

Chloe Valentine inquest continues at the Coroners Court. University of SA Emeritus Professor Dr Freda Briggs speaks to media on arriving to give evidence.

A FOUR-year-old boy is under constant supervision at a regional South Australian kindergarten after abusing younger children in what he called “sex games”, according to a leading child protection advocate.

In her submission to a Senate inquiry, University of South Australia Emeritus Professor Freda Briggs said parents were accusing the kindergarten of ignoring “child-on-child abuse”.

Dr Briggs said the staff “allegedly ignored” sexually explicit behaviour accompanied by threats and secrecy, dismissing is as “normal developmentally appropriate behaviour”.

“The boy who initiated the behaviour is now accompanied by a supervising adult at considerable expense to the taxpayer.

“Nevertheless, his behaviour has allegedly continued in the out-of-school-hours child care

centre and other children have re-enacted it.

“Parents argued that the kindergarten should have suspended or expelled him until a therapist declared him to be safe.

“It is alleged that no-one asked him where he had learned to play these ‘sex games’.”

About 200 people attended a public seminar in the regional SA city, which was organised by the distressed parents of the boy’s victims.

Dr Briggs spoke at the meeting last month about the impact of child-on-child abuse.

In her submission, she said the parents of the victims had removed their children from the centre but now faced a 240km drive to the next closest kindergarten.

She said there were three reasons a child would sexually abuse another child — they had been exposed to pornography and repeat it, been traumatised by sexual abuse and repeat it or have inappropriately witnessed sexual activity at home.

“All of the above constitute child abuse and should be reported, investigated and therapy provided (by specialists),” she submitted.

“The problem is that neither teachers, police nor social workers appear to be trained to take these behaviours seriously and respond appropriately.”

In a statement, a Department of Education and Child Development spokesman said the sexual abuse incident at the regional SA kindergarten was being managed by the area’s education director.

“Senior staff from the chief executive, down have been working through this situation with the families involved.

“The welfare of the children remains our priority.”

But he would not say if the boy’s parents were being investigated by Families SA.

Dr Briggs’ submission was in response to the inquiry into harm caused by pornography on children.

She recommended the child protection school curriculum — which South Australia implements — should be compulsory in all states.

“Children need to know what constitutes wrong, reportable behaviour and to whom it should be reported,” she recommended.

“Parent education is essential given that most exposure to pornography and most sexual abuse occurs in the family setting.”