Third male educator from NSW arrested in relation to child abuse allegations

A third male early childhood education and care professional has been arrested in New South Wales in relation to the abuse of children in his care, one of three men to be arrested for child abuse in the state in as many days.

 

Before continuing to engage with this piece readers of The Sector should be aware that the contents of the story discuss child abuse, which may prove distressing. Readers should consider their own circumstances before continuing to read. 

 

The 51-year-old man worked at a long day care centre in Glen Innes in the Northern Tablelands of NSW at the time of the alleged offences. He was arrested last Wednesday and charged with intentionally sexually touching a child under 10 years of age against eight alleged victims.

 

It is understood that the alleged offences occurred recently, were reported quickly and all families who attended the centre have been notified. At the time the alleged offences took place the man had been employed for a period of approximately 12 months. 

 

The man appeared before Inverell Local Court, pleading not guilty to all charges. He was granted conditional bail and ordered to stay away from the suburb, schools and early childhood settings and to report to police daily.

 

Unrelated, but arrests leave parents seeking answers

 

The latest arrest comes in light of two similar cases in recent days. 

 

The first concerned an alleged offender (Man 1) who was arrested and charged with alleged sexual touching of a young child and common assault.

 

The second (Man 2) concerned an alleged offender who was charged with more than 10 counts of child abuse after allegedly filming himself abusing young boys while in the classroom and bathroom and allegedly pleasuring himself in a classroom in front of children.

 

The three cases of alleged abuse are unrelated, but have left parents distraught and seeking answers.

 

One mother, The Sydney Morning Herald reports, took measures to advise the service of her concerns about Man 1, and about the service’s broader approach to staffing and conduct in the months prior to Man 1’s arrest. 

 

In an email to the centre seen by the paper, dated July 1, the mother said she found a student in her son’s nursery, and while she was aware students were observing on campus, she had been told they would be in different classrooms. The room leader said she did not know the student’s name.

 

On September 18, the woman wrote a complaint to the approved provider’s head office, sharing her concerns that on “multiple occasions” she noticed unfamiliar individuals, who she believed to be students and casual staff, in the nursery without any prior or subsequent notification.

 

She also raised concerns about finding educators changing nappies unsupervised and requested clarity on the centre’s policies around casual educators, student involvement and nappy changing procedures.

 

It is important to note that it has not been suggested that other offences occurred during these incidents, only that the parent had concerns which were raised.

 

Approved provider employing Man 1 responds

 

A spokesperson for the organisation employing Man 1 said the organisation maintained a pool of casual educators to address fluctuating resource requirements, and all workers had a Working With Children Check and were qualified, or working towards a qualification.

 

“We have robust policies in place regarding nappy changes which are consistent with practice throughout the childcare (sic.)sector,” the statement notes. 

 

“These policies include that for the vast majority of instances only permanent or regular casuals to the centre are involved in this practice.” 

 

The spokesperson said short-notice staff changes, as in the case of illness, meant updating parents on casual staff wasn’t always possible.

 

The organisation is working with investigating authorities to seek approval to release further information about Man 1’s shifts.

 

“[We] apologise to the parents for the distress this incident has created,” the spokesperson said.

 

Regulatory authority reassures

 

Speaking with The Sydney Morning Herald a spokesperson for the NSW Department of Education, which serves as the regulatory authority for the state, reassured parents and concerned community members that it took “immediate and strong action” in each of the matters and prohibited the three alleged offenders from working in any education and care service within Australia.

 

“We continue to work closely with law enforcement and other agencies to support investigations and ensure children’s safety,” the spokesperson said.

 

“We are currently engaged in a number of processes to improve child safety in NSW, including through the Child Safety Review, a national approach with a particular focus on reducing harm, including abuse and neglect in early childhood education and care.”

 

Advice and support

 

Members of the public who have information about people involved in child abuse and exploitation are urged to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or www.accce.gov.au/report. 

 

If you know abuse is happening right now or a child is at risk, call police immediately on 000.

 

Readers who are affected by the content of this story and who need support are encouraged to connect with the most appropriate resource from the list below: 

 

1800 RESPECT

 

Provides confidential sexual assault and family and domestic violence counselling via phone and webchat.

 

Phone: 1800 737 732. Available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

 

National Sexual Abuse and Redress Support Service (Full Stop Australia)

 

Provides 24/7 telephone and face-to-face counselling for people impacted by institutional child sexual abuse. This means adults who were sexually assaulted as a child at an institution — like a school, church, club, or children’s home — or by someone who worked at one of those places — like a teacher, a religious figure, or a camp leader — for example. The counselling is offered to survivors, as well as other people impacted, like parents or professionals.

 

Phone: 1800 211 028. Available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. 

 

National Violence and Abuse Trauma Counselling and Recovery Service (Full Stop Australia)

 

Telephone and online support, as well as information and referrals, for anyone in Australia who is or has experienced domestic or family violence, or those who support them.

 

Phone: 1800 385 578.

 

Rainbow Sexual, Domestic and Family Violence Helpline (Full Stop Australia)

 

Provides 24/7 telephone trauma counselling from counsellors who have completed specialist training to support anyone in Australia who is from the LGBTIQ+ community and has recently or in the past experienced domestic, family or sexual violence. The service also provides telephone support to family members, friends and supporters, or professionals who are impacted by violence targeted towards the LGBTIQ+ community.

Phone: 1800 497 212. Available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

 

 

Blue Knot Foundation

 

Provides phone and email-based support for adult survivors of childhood trauma and abuse, as well as for their supporters and the professionals who work with them.

 

Phone: 1300 657 380. Available 9 am to 5 pm AEST/AEDT, seven days a week.

 

Email: [email protected] 

 

Access the Sydney Morning Herald coverage of this story here.