Kids allegedly sexually touched by peer at Torquay kinder

A Torquay kinder is being investigated by the department of education amid allegations two children were inappropriately sexually touched by a fellow student.

Southern Cross Montessori Torquay childcare centre. Picture: Alison Wynd

A Torquay kinder is being investigated by the department of education amid allegations two children were inappropriately sexually touched by a fellow student.

One father said his child, who attended Southern Cross Montessori Torquay, was in pain and then demonstrated what another student had been doing to them between the legs of a toy.

The father said his child indicated this had happened many times, despite saying “no”.

However, the centre says it has been advised by child protection it is not believed there is a case for the service or its staff to answer.

The father said the other student had been known to push his child over, and claimed the centre was aware of this.

The alleged victim’s family was left horrified by the allegations and a perceived lack of action from the service.

The parents accused it of misconduct. The Geelong Advertiser is not suggesting the child care centre has engaged in misconduct, only that it is being investigated.

“It appears the centre has not had the proper protocols in place,” the father said.

The father said he was “bounced” from department to department while trying to alert authorities.

A second alleged victim told their mother they had been digitally penetrated by the same child.

The mother said her child said they told the other student to stop.

The mother also said her child had “horrific nightmares”, became “afraid” and wanted to stop attending kinder.

“It’s like a blur, the moment I found out,” the mother said.

She said the response of the centre and other authorities had been inadequate.

“We obviously know the kid won’t be charged,” she said.

“What I want is for my (child) to be heard.

“I hope my child will move on and forget about it, but we won’t.”

Parents of both children who were allegedly subjected to the behaviour are considering legal action.

A man, who is listed as centre’s the business manager on LinkedIn, said: “In accordance with our obligations as an approved service provider under the Education and Care Services National Law, the allegations were reported to the regulatory authority and to child protection for their investigation.”

“Our preliminary advice from child protection is that they do not believe there is a case for the service or its staff to answer,” he said.

A spokesman for the state Department of Education said Victoria’s early childhood regulator was aware of the allegations and investigating.

The Quality Assessment and Regulation Division (QARD) of the department is responsible for the regulation of early childhood services in Victoria.

QARD has the power to investigate alleged breaches of the national law and regulations that apply to early childhood services and take enforcement action where those standards have not been met.

In Victoria, the age of criminal liability is 10, and younger children cannot be charged.

According to LinkedIn, the centre provides “Montessori” education through a preschool and kindergarten program for three and four year olds.

Montessori education is a “child focused” education method.

“A Montessori classroom uses a multi-aged classroom model,” the description said.

Contact the Sexual Assault and Family Violence Centre on 5222 4318 or reception@ safvcentre.org.au for support in the Barwon region.

For after-hours support, contact the Sexual Assault Crisis Line on 1800 806 292 or 1800 RESPECT, 1800 737 732

Originally published as Kids allegedly sexually touched by peer at Torquay kinder