Wave of lawsuits expected following Joshua Brown allegations

A leading law firm is exploring launching a class action after childcare worker Joshua Brown was exposed as an alleged pedophile, with victims potentially entitled to millions in compensation.

At least four families have contacted a leading personal injury law firm which is exploring a class action after a Melbourne child care worker was exposed as an accused pedophile.

Jodie Harris, principal lawyer at Arnold Thomas & Becker, said her firm had been approached by several parents whose children attended centres where Joshua Brown, 26, worked.

Arnold Thomas & Becker is understood to be exploring both a potential class action and individual claims after it was revealed Mr Brown had worked at more than 20 childcare centres across Melbourne between 2017 and 2025.

Ms Harris said compensation could be in the millions and families were entitled to pursue compensation while criminal proceedings were underway.

“Our thoughts are with the families affected, who are no doubt reeling from the shock and heartbreak of this news,” she said.

Childcare worker Joshua Brown has been exposed as an accused pedophile. Picture Supplied.,

She said Arnold Thomas & Becker was currently representing several families whose children were allegedly abused in other childcare settings.

“Recently, the firm secured a confidential settlement for the abuse of two children in a council-run childcare service,” she said.

A wave of civil lawsuits are expected to be filed in the wake of Mr Brown being exposed as an accused pedophile.

Shine Lawyers chief operating officer Jodie Willey said the “truly sickening” allegations against Joshua Brown signalled a “significant failing” by the childcare operators.

She said the alleged victims and their parents and caregivers would have “strong prospects” of suing the childcare centres involved for negligence.

“If the childcare providers in this instance have been negligent in their duty of care for these children there would be strong prospects for the impacted families to hold them to account through the civil courts,” Ms Willey said.

“The fact that this alleged offending was carried out over such a long span of time speaks to a significant failing.”

She said a lack of proper supervision of staff is one of the recurring themes Shine Lawyers has seen in other cases involving abuse in a childcare setting.

“There is a clear need for better supervision practices to be implemented for staff who are caring for children,” she said.

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

Ms Willey could not say how much compensation would be awarded in such cases.

“It is very unique to the circumstances of each individual,” she said.

“In terms of the children impacted, it might be some time before the known effects of the alleged abuse is realised.

“In regards to parents and caregivers we’ve recovered compensation for nervous shock (before) – that’s something for which they can be compensated.

“It really comes down to the extent of that impact.”

Ms Willey called on parents to know their options.

“I can’t begin to imagine what these families are going through. It’s every parent’s worst nightmare,” Ms Willey said.

“Often in these early days they just want answers and support. Often we will speak with them about options and a way forward.”

She said it is not a requirement to have a guilty plea or verdict before pursuing civil action.

“The civil system works quite separate to the criminal system,” she said.

It’s really about exposing a failure to exercise reasonable care, which has resulted in harm or injury to another, having accountability and bringing about change, she said.

Mr Brown, 26, is facing more than 70 charges including sexual abuse of children as young as five months old.