NewsBite

Child abuse

This Month

The charges against childcare worker Joshua Brown, 26, were revealed on Tuesday after a suppression order was lifted.

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 is now stuck in an investment that is at risk of significant government intervention.

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.

Premier Jacinta Allan and Minister for Children Lizzie Blandthorn and Chief Health Officer Christian McGrath held a press conference about the alleged abuse in childcare centres.

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.

Victoria Police acting commander Janet Stevenson addresses reporters during Tuesday’s press conference.

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

An internal investigation has uncovered “completely unacceptable” behaviour at Ballarat Grammar.

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.

Advertisement
Ron Brierley outside court when he was sentenced in 2021.

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

Companies across the economy are introducing powers to suspend or terminate accounts when financial abuse is suspected. 

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 Justin Welby.

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

By following the money AUSTRAC is identifying child abuse material.

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

The eSafety Commissioner, Julie Inman Grant, has outlined steps that companies can take to make AI safer. But they are only recommendations.

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

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.

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.

Senator Jacinta Nampijinpa Price during a press conference at Parliament House in Canberra on Wednesday 22 March 2023. fedpol Photo: Alex Ellinghausen

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

Elizabeth Mamchak

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

CBA chief executive Matt Comyn described financial abuse as a “hidden epidemic.”

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

Advocates are pleased there is a national strategy, and acknowledge there have been some advances, particularly in the states and territories, on law reform.

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.

Advertisement
Ron Brierley arrives at court on Thursday.

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 co-founder Brian Houston.

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

Ron Brierley leaving court in February 2020.

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

Not guilty  George Pell

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, seen outside Sydney's Downing Street Local Court, was arrested in December at Sydney International Airport after being searched while boarding a plane.

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.

Original URL: https://www.afr.com/topic/child-abuse-hoa