Sylvia Jeffreys breaks down when discussing Melbourne childcare worker charged with abuse: ‘The system has failed’

Today Extra host and mother of two Sylvia Jeffreys has fought back tears on TV when discussing the child care worker charged with 70 counts of child abuse.

Today Extra host Sylvia Jeffreys broke down in tears on TV this morning when discussing the case about a child care worker accused of sexually abusing children at a Melbourne child care centre.

The mother of two got emotional as she and fill-in co-host Richard Wilkins discussed the sickening news story in a segment on Wednesday’s broadcast, one day after police charged a 26-year-old man for more than 70 counts of child abuse.

“They are all allegations at this point of course, but they have rocked every parent,” Jeffreys said on air. “They have rocked the industry. It is deeply disturbing, but it is not an isolated incident.”

Sylvia Jeffreys fought back tears as she weighed in on the Melbourne worker charged with 70 counts of child abuse.

“There have been media reports for many months now of abuse and neglect in for-profit childcare centres. The system has failed these families, the system has failed these children and it has failed the many wonderful educators who work in the industry as well.”

Joshua Brown from Point Cook was charged with offences including sexual activity in presence of a child under 16, sexual assault of a child under 16 and possessing child abuse material.

Distressed families gathered outside a Point Cook facility at the centre of the investigation on Tuesday, trying to find answers as the allegations sent waves of fear and confusion through the community.

Jeffreys feels their pain and says the federal government needs to step in to ensure this never happens in Australian child care centres again.

“Nothing could be more urgent than this issue right now because there will be parents this morning who will feel reluctant to drop their child at day-care today, and that should never be the case,” Jeffreys added before fighting back tears.

Today Extra co-host Richard Wilkins supported Jeffreys in the studio.

“I’m sorry. No, no, it is so hard. It is. It is so hard to even talk about it, let alone go through this. The parents who are going through this this morning, it needs to be at the top of federal, the federal government’s agenda today and tomorrow and every day until we see change.”

Wilkins, who was sat next to Jeffreys offering his support, told her, “You speak for the nation. Sylvia.”

A widespread investigation has now been launched, with Victoria’s chief health officer saying 1200 children have been recommended to undergo infectious diseases testing.

Victoria Police say Brown’s charges relate to eight children who were placed at a Point Cook childcare centre between April 2022 and January 2023.

The families of the eight alleged victims have been notified, and offered available support services.

Police are alleging the children targeted were aged between five months and two years.

Brown has been remanded in custody and will appear before Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on September 15.

Originally published as Sylvia Jeffreys breaks down when discussing Melbourne childcare worker charged with abuse: ‘The system has failed’