By Sally Rawsthorne and Josefine Ganko
More than 1200 families on Sydney’s north shore and the CBD have received letters notifying them about a man who worked with children, who has been charged with criminal offences.
The man was charged by the Australian Federal Police in October over allegations of inappropriate behaviour, and has been in custody since being refused bail at that time.
More than 1200 families on Sydney’s north shore received the letter from NSW Police and the AFP.
The man’s identity, his place of work and the children involved are all subject to strict non-publication orders.
Under the Joint Child Protection Response Program and the guidelines of the royal commission, NSW Police and the AFP have begun the process of informing parents and carers of children who may have had contact with the man about the investigation, as well as providing information about support services.
“In addition, the NSWPF is assisting the AFP in a comprehensive victim identification process,” NSW Police said in a statement to the Herald.
Investigators believe that the alleged behaviour involved a “very small” number of children, but parents and carers of any child who may have had contact with the man have received a letter.
A mother who received the letter said it was “scary” to get the email from the AFP.
“It is quite alarming, and I’ve certainly not received an email or anything like this before,” the woman, who asked to remain anonymous, told the Herald.
“Some parents might be really, really freaked out.”
The language of the letter, which describes “an allegation of inappropriate conduct towards children by a former employee” and the belief that the conduct only involved “a very small number of children”, didn’t overly concern the mother.
“I think there can be a bad individual anywhere and everywhere, and I don’t hold it against the place,” she said.
“It is scary, but there’s not much we can do at this point, and he’s locked up for now.”
The man appeared briefly in court on Thursday.
He will return to the Downing Centre Local Court on charges of possessing child abuse material next month.
If you or anyone you know needs support, call Lifeline on 131 114, beyondblue on 1800 512 348, Kids Helpline on 1800 55 1800, or the National Sexual Assault, Domestic and Family Violence Counselling Service on 1800RESPECT (1800 737 732).
Start the day with a summary of the day’s most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter.