Authorities in Victoria are facing intense scrutiny following the arrest of childcare worker Joshua Dale Brown, who has been charged with a staggering 70 offences, including allegations of sexual assault and the production of child abuse material. Premier Jacinta Allan described the charges as “shocking and distressing” during a press conference earlier this month.
The allegations stem from Mr. Brown’s time at Creative Gardens in Point Cook, where he is accused of abusing eight children, ranging in age from five months to two years, between April 2022 and January 2023. It has come to light that two reports concerning Mr. Brown’s interactions with children had been made to Victoria’s Reportable Conduct Scheme prior to his arrest, raising serious questions about the handling of his case.
Prior Reports and Disciplinary Actions
Despite the existence of these reports, both of which occurred after the alleged offending, no immediate action was taken against Mr. Brown at the time. The first report, made in April 2023, detailed an incident where Mr. Brown reportedly “aggressively picked up and put down” a child and failed to provide comfort afterward. An internal investigation by G8 Education, the operator of Creative Gardens, substantiated this claim, leading to Mr. Brown receiving a formal written warning and a performance improvement plan. He subsequently took three months of leave but returned to work afterward.
The second report, filed in January 2024, alleged that Mr. Brown had raised his voice at three children and forcibly grabbed one child’s arm and another’s leg. Following this report, G8 suspended him immediately after substantiating the claims. Mr. Brown resigned during the ongoing investigation and did not return to work.
The Commission for Children and Young People, which oversees the Reportable Conduct Scheme, opted not to escalate Mr. Brown’s case, viewing it as a lower-level incident despite the substantiated findings. This decision has drawn criticism for potentially allowing a significant risk to children despite prior warnings.
Concerns Over Oversight and Funding
After Mr. Brown’s arrest, Acting Commander Janet Stevenson of Victoria Police confirmed that he was not previously known to police and had a valid Working with Children Check. This has led to confusion, considering the reports made about his conduct. The commission has been under pressure due to a significant increase in allegations, with reports to the scheme rising by 30 percent in the last year alone.
Victoria’s Reportable Conduct Scheme was established in 2017 to enhance the oversight of allegations against individuals working with children, particularly in the wake of a critical inquiry into abuse allegations in various organizations. However, the commission has publicly acknowledged its inability to provide comprehensive oversight due to resource limitations, which raises serious concerns regarding child safety.
The commission has not received additional funding since its inception, despite the alarming rise in reports. The current government, led by Premier Allan, has come under increasing pressure to address these systemic issues and ensure the safety of children in Victoria.
In a statement, G8 Education emphasized its commitment to taking all allegations seriously and assured that appropriate measures are taken when any misconduct is reported. The company has pledged to cooperate fully with ongoing investigations.
As the investigation continues, authorities are urging anyone with further information regarding Mr. Brown or his conduct at other childcare centers to come forward. The community remains on high alert as more details unfold regarding this deeply troubling case.
