Shocking rise in allegations of violence and sexual abuse by Victorian early childhood carers
Allegations of violence and sexual abuse by early childhood carers against children in their care have exploded in Victoria, with more than 1000 cases raised involving childcare staff, foster parents and school teachers in the past year, a new watchdog report reveals.
The Commission for Children and Young People’s latest annual report, which oversees the state’s mandatory reportable conduct scheme, has revealed a disturbing rise in allegations in relation to childcare centres, schools and kindergartens.
In 2024–25, 705 reports were reported in childcare centres – up 84 per cent in three years and 32 per cent in the past year.
The tally includes 627 reports of physical violence, 27 of sexual offences and 78 of sexual misconduct.
Most related to long-day-care centres, but also involved, kindergartens, family daycare centres and out-of-hours school care.
Arnold Thomas & Becker’s Head of Abuse Practice, Kim Price, said the findings were appalling.
“Childcare should be a safe and nurturing environment for every child – not a place where their trust, innocence and wellbeing are put at risk.”
“Our firm is representing dozens of families from several childcare centres across Victoria, and we received hundreds of calls from concerned parents following the Joshua Brown allegations earlier this year. These families are justifiably angry, traumatised, and seeking legal help.”
“Parents trust that the most vulnerable members of our community will be protected when they leave them in care. That trust has been broken – and we will continue advocating for accountability and systemic change to ensure no other child and family has to go through what these families are experiencing.”
Read the full story at The Herald Sun.
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