This Month
Childcare centres are failing to detect abuse
Research shows perpetrators are almost always male, avoid being caught for long periods, and are only exposed when police investigate online abuse material.
Quadrant finds itself bogged down in childcare quagmire
The private equity giant made a $650 million bet on Affinity Education four years ago. Child abuse allegations now have the sector under an intense spotlight.
CCTV in centres will be part of snap review of Vic childcare system
Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan has appointed a former SA premier and a senior public servant to review the system in the wake of shocking child abuse allegations.
Carer charged with child abuse worked at private equity-owned centres
The parents of more than 1000 children were urged to send them for infectious disease testing after a worker was charged with dozens of offences.
March
Ballarat private school expels students over ‘hazing’
Ballarat Grammar principal Adam Heath said an internal investigation confirmed that older boarders had harmed younger boys in “completely unacceptable” behaviour.
Ex-corporate raider Ron Brierley on new child abuse charges
Former multimillionaire businessman Ron Brierley was granted bail on three charges of possessing child abuse material.
February
Banks, insurers crack down on abusers using their products as weapons
Financial abuse is estimated to cost victims $5.7 billion every year – more than twice the amount of losses from scams.
November 2024
Archbishop of Canterbury quits in scandal over ‘prolific abuser’
The spiritual leader of 85 million Anglicans worldwide has stepped down, after a report found he had failed to act on allegations against John Smyth.
August 2023
How AUSTRAC is saving kids from sexual abuse
The financial enforcer is ensuring banks report the kind of transactions that give away the activities of predators.
August 2023
AI being used for child sex abuse images in regulation-free zone
The eSafety Commissioner has outlined steps companies can take to make AI safer. But they are only recommendations.
April 2023
Albanese to launch Pat Farmer’s pro-Voice ultramarathon
Pat Farmer, the former Liberal MP for Macarthur and an ultramarathon runner, will run 14,400 kilometres around Australia to build support for the Voice.
Bureaucrats ‘putting kids in the hands of abusers’: Price
Coalition senator Jacinta Nampijinpa Price has called for the federal government to take responsibility for child protection in Australia, alleging Northern Territory bureaucrats are failing vulnerable children.
March 2023
Daughter accuses former Treasury head of sexual abuse
Elizabeth Mamchak, the daughter of Sir Frederick Wheeler – one of the most powerful public servants in Australian history – has accused him of sexually abusing her throughout her childhood.
February 2022
Financial abuse costs $10.9b a year, report finds
CBA chief executive Matt Comyn says an advertising campaign will draw attention to support services the bank will offer to help domestic violence victims.
October 2021
Let’s talk about the other national plan the PM released this week
The federal government’s plan to prevent and respond to child sexual abuse seems very long on “stopping” the abuse but very short on “supporting” those who have been abused.
Ron Brierley sentenced to 14 months in jail over child abuse material
Judge Sarah Huggett went through the details of the tens of thousands of images Brierley had across devices found on him when he was arrested in 2019.
August 2021
Hillsong founder charged with concealing child sex crimes
Brian Houston, a spiritual mentor of Prime Minister Scott Morrison, allegedly concealed child abuse claims related to his father from the 1970s.
February 2021
Brierley faces more charges of possessing child abuse material
The new total of 17 charges only came to light on Thursday morning in his latest court hearing at Downing Street Local Court in Sydney.
April 2020
Did a judge's shaving routine save George Pell?
Church rituals – and a judge's shaving routine – helped clear George Pell.
February 2020
Ron Brierley in court on charges of possessing child-abuse pictures
Corporate raider Ron Brierley, walking with a cane, made his Sydney court appearance. He faces six counts of possessing child abuse material.