Childcare abuse Placing your child in the care of others is one of the biggest acts of trust a parent can make. Families expect that those working in childcare will protect and nurture the most vulnerable members of our community. Sadly, in rare and distressing cases, this trust may be broken. If you’re concerned about something that’s happened in a childcare setting, it’s important to understand what constitutes abuse and what your legal options may be. What constitutes abuse Abuse in childcare can occur in several forms and may result in a criminal and civil wrong. In a childcare setting, abuse can be: Physical abuse – including actions like hitting, pushing, or physically mistreating a child.Sexual abuse – involving inappropriate touching, exposure, or any sexual contact without consent.Emotional or psychological abuse – such as bullying, verbal abuse, threats, or shaming.Neglect – failing to provide adequate care, supervision, hygiene, or nutrition. Abuse may be perpetrated by staff members, volunteers, or even other children—particularly if carers failed to properly supervise or act on known risks. You can make a claim if you’re a parent, guardian or the victim yourself (even if the abuse occurred years ago). It’s important to note there are no time limits to child abuse claims. You may be entitled to civil compensation While criminal proceedings are ongoing, affected families should also be aware of their civil legal options. These include the ability to seek compensation for both children and parents who have experienced harm. Families impacted by abuse in a childcare setting may be eligible to pursue one or more of the following legal pathways: Individual claims for children who have suffered physical or psychological injurySecondary victim claims for parents who have experienced psychological harm (including nervous shock)Victims of Crime Assistance Tribunal (VOCAT) applications, which can offer financial support, counselling, and urgent assistance Arnold Thomas & Becker’s experienced abuse law team can guide families through each of these processes with compassion and expertise. Childcare centres and providers may be held legally accountable if they: Failed to properly screen or train employees;Did not supervise children adequately;Ignored warning signs, complaints, or prior incidents of concern. Organisations have a duty of care to protect children. When they breach this duty, they may be held responsible for the resulting harm. What compensation can cover Civil claims may allow families to recover significant compensation, including: Pain and suffering (past, present, and future)Loss of enjoyment of lifeFinancial loss, including lost superannuationMedical and treatment-related expenses Our client outcomes Arnold Thomas & Becker is currently assisting multiple families whose children were allegedly abused in childcare settings. Our firm has already secured a confidential settlement for the abuse of two children in a council-run childcare service, and is pursuing Supreme Court proceedings in a separate case involving an adult survivor of childhood abuse. In some cases, compensation can reach millions of dollars. Our resources Legal support for families impacted by Melbourne childcare abuse How our experienced lawyers can help you It’s important to seek legal advice as early as possible. We operate on a genuine No Win No Fee basis because we believe justice should be accessible to all. Arnold Thomas & Becker is currently assisting thousands of Victorians who experienced abuse as children – many of them in schools, churches, and other institutions that failed to provide adequate care. With ten locations across Victoria, our firm is well-placed to support families regardless of where they live. Contact us today If you, your child or someone you know has been abused in a childcare setting, contact Arnold Thomas & Becker on 1300 333 300 or fill out the form below to speak with an experienced abuse lawyer today.