Body safety expert’s tips for parents after alleged Melbourne child sex abuse scandal

In the wake of child sex allegations against a Melbourne childcare worker, an expert has revealed tips to help parents and carers to safeguard their children. Watch the video.

There are growing calls from parent advocacy groups and industry experts for urgent safety reforms in early childhood education following the arrest of a Melbourne childcare worker accused of abusing multiple children.

Joshua Brown, 26, has been charged with more than 70 offences, accused of sexually assaulting at least eight infants and toddlers aged between five months and two years — in what authorities have described as one of the state’s most horrific child abuse cases.

The accused worked at a childcare centre in Melbourne’s western suburbs between October 2021 and February 2024. In the wake of the charges, more than 1200 children who may have been exposed will be tested for infectious diseases.

A image of the Melbourne alleged sex abuser Joshua Brown. Picture Supplied

Brown also worked at a total of 20 childcare centres across Melbourne — all while holding a valid Working With Children Check. Families of children who may have been in contact with Brown were notified of the charges on Tuesday.

Now, police have charged a second man as part of the major probe into the alleged daycare predator.

Michael Simon Wilson has been charged with 45 offences, including rape and bestiality. His charges do not involve Victorian childcare centres or any of Brown’s alleged victims, but relate to other child abuse material and sexual offences.

The pair are known to each other, although the exact nature of their relationship remains unclear.

Following the shocking allegations, Benjamin Balk — founder of childcare comparison app Kindicare — is calling for stronger national regulations to better protect children and prevent future abuse.

He said there should be focus on improving centre design and restricting mobile phone use by educators.

“There are many benefits to modern, purpose built early learning services with a key one being that they also offer a level of transparency not available in older buildings or residential houses that have been converted to centres that are decades old,” he said.

“Walk into any new build and you’ll typically find windows everywhere, and an open plan layout that means there’s always multiple educators watching each age group helping to ensure a better level of supervision and reduce the risk of incidents of any nature occurring.”

Since the horrific child sexual assault cases have come to light, Victorian childcare workers will now be banned from having their personal devices on them in centres across the state under new government reforms.

The ban on personal devices, which is also being considered nationally, will be introduced in Victoria from September 26.

Childcare centres who fail to comply may be found to have breached their licensing requirements and face fines of up to $50,000.

“Personal devices present a risk to children’s privacy and also can be a distraction for early learning educators and staff that can impact supervision,” Mr Balk said.

“The recommended guidelines introduced last July regarding the use of smart phones and other electronic devices should be mandated by the regulator, not just given as a recommendation to early learning services.

“Doing so would mean that only service-issued devices, not staff’s own devices, would be carried into areas where children are being educated, supervised and cared for.”

Advocacy group The Parenthood, led by campaign director Maddy Butler, echoed the call for reform, stressing no child should ever be harmed—especially in a place meant to be safe and nurturing.

Joshua Brown worked at Creative Gardens Early Learning Centre in Point Cook from October 2021 to February 2024: Picture: Supplied

“Every family should be able to trust that when they leave their child in an early learning environment, their child will be protected, supported and treated with dignity,” Ms Butler said.

“This is why we continue to call for the urgent establishment of an independent National Early Childhood Commission – to ensure national oversight, consistent quality, and accountability across early childhood education and care services.

That call is also being echoed by early childhood thinktank The Front Project, which is urging governments to urgently address gaps in early education policy, regulation and oversight.

“This is not the first time allegations of this nature have come to light in recent years,” CEO Dr Caroline Croser-Barlow said.

A image of the Melbourne alleged sex abuser Joshua Brown. Picture Supplied.,

“The community is rightly asking – why can’t the government prevent abuse and neglect of this magnitude in early childhood education and care (ECEC).“

Dr Croser-Barlow said while investigations into the current case were ongoing, broader questions about system failures must be urgently addressed.

“In the immediate term, all states and territories should strengthen the ECEC system by introducing registration for all early childhood educators, review the working with children check system, ensure consistency and information sharing across jurisdictions and review regulations related to staff to child ratios and adequate supervision,” she said.

“However, we urge ministers to look beyond the immediate and settle questions of system stewardship, the role of funding, service approvals and accreditation, and workforce stability.”

ADVICE FOR PARENTS

Caroline Whitehouse, a manager and family therapist from a specialist sexual assault service in Melbourne has answered the important questions about how parents should support their child in the event of sexual abuse.

How do I help my child if I think they have been harmed?

For parents facing the uncertainty of whether their child has been harmed, it’s important to remember every child responds differently to abuse.

As the closest adults in their lives, parents are best placed to notice changes in behaviour. Keeping routines consistent can help children feel safe and supported.

“Even though you may want to scoop them up and change their routines, you know keep them home from school or keep them home from childcare, it actually helps children to feel safer after something like this if their normal routines can be maintained,” Ms Whitehouse said.

“So that means going to the same places, same bedtimes, same routines can help children feel really contained and safe.”

Should I speak to my child about what is happening?

It can be hard to know if or how to talk to your child about potential abuse, especially if they’re very young. If you’re unsure whether they’ve experienced harm, specialist sexual assault services can help guide a safe, trauma-informed approach tailored to your child’s age and needs.

“Speaking together as a family in a way that is appropriate for the age of each of your children can be a really helpful thing,” Ms Whitehouse said.

“It can be really confusing or destabilising to know that something weird is going down and they’re not privy to it.”

If my child has been harmed, will this impact their future?

It’s natural for parents to feel anger and distress, and to worry about long-term impacts. But experts say lasting harm often comes from a lack of support — not the abuse itself. With the right help, children can recover, heal, and thrive.

“More so than anything else it’s about the love and the time and the attention that you as a parent can give to your child,” she said.

How do I respond if my child discloses sexual abuse?

Children usually confide in someone they trust and feel safe with. If a child discloses abuse, listen calmly and without judgment. Reassure them that you believe them, they’re not to blame, and they did the right thing by speaking up. Avoid direct or leading questions — instead, use open-ended prompts like “tell me more about that.”

“If a child decides to tell you that something like this has happened to them, you’ve already won half the battle in that they trust you,” Ms Whitehouse said.

“The best thing you can do is be calm, which is easier said than done, and just listen openly.”

Take some time for yourself

It is also important to recognise that you yourself may need time for yourself, in order for you to create a positive, supportive environment.

Looking after yourself can include formal counselling, but it could also mean spending time in nature, with trusted people like family and friends or doing breathing exercises.

“Children will take their cues from you in terms of feeling in control and feeling safe,” she said.

“So like the aeroplane analogy, always fit your oxygen mask before helping others.”

Originally published as Body safety expert’s tips for parents after alleged Melbourne child sex abuse scandal