In the Media

From Facebook Post to Parliamentary Action: Media's Crucial Role in Child Advocacy

Content Warning: Sensitive topics including child sexual assault

The media has played a pivotal role in our advocacy journey. It all began with a simple Facebook post reaching out to parents in our local community, urging them to be vigilant for signs of sexual abuse in their children. Through this post, we reached a family at the daycare centre whose child exhibited concerning signs, hospital examinations over 7 days post incident found a mark on her genitalia suggestive of internal injury.

Despite multiple reports within a short span – including a children bleeding from genitals and interal injuries – the initial response from authorities was disheartening. We were met with dismissal, told that this was not an investigation, they did not want to raise alarm bells and there was no crime. As parents we were traumatised by the response of the child abuse squad.

Upon seeking legal counsel and political guidance, we reached out to the opposition leader for education, prompting swift action. Questioning by the police minister during parliamentary sessions spurred the authorities into action. Within days, statements were taken from two of the four families, although these were not presented to us for review before the authorities concluded their “findings.”

Throughout this tumultuous journey, the media has been our ally, amplifying our voice and shedding light on our cause. We owe a debt of gratitude to the businesses and media outlets that have shared Lincoln’s* story, lending strength to our advocacy efforts.

Contact us on office@protectdaycarechildren.org for media enquiries including the opportunity to work with reporters actively looking for people directly affected by daycare sexual abuse.

Stories:

EXCLUSIVE: shocking allegations against a Perth daycare. Four families have complained to police about suspected abuse. #7NEWS

WA daycare at centre of shock child abuse investigation after four families come forward with vile claims The West Australian

Project Rescue Children

*name changed to protect privacy

Sincerely,
Jane*

This Petition will be sent to:

Hon. Paul Papalia CSC, MLA,
Minister for Police; Corrective Services; Defence Industry; Veterans Issues
Hon. Sabine Winton BA BPS MLA,
Minister for Early Childhood Education; Child Protection; Prevention of Family and Domestic Violence; Community Services
Ms Elizabeth (Libby) Mettam MLA,
Leader of the WA Liberal Party; Shadow Minister for Health; Mental Health; Disability Services; Prevention of Family and Domestic Violence; Child Protection
Hon Dr Anne Aly MP
Minister for Early Childhood Education; Minister for Youth

Appeal Letters

To:

The Minister for Early Childhood Education; Child Protection; Prevention of Family and Domestic Violence; Community Services

Australian daycare centre sexual abuse incidents are alarming. The Ashley Griffith case of over 1600 cases (when two confirmed unsubstantiated police reports were made) and the 4 unresolved allegations of abuse at a daycare centre in Perth highlight how pertinent it is to protect these children.

Pre-verbal children are vulnerable, voiceless and unable to provide evidence that leads to convictions and thus deserve greater protection.

We need robust protocols established for handling suspected cases of sexual abuse, similar to those implemented by schools and other institutions scrutinised by the Royal Commission on Institutional Abuse, Disability, and Aged Care.

We urge lawmakers and relevant authorities to take immediate action towards implementing stringent reforms in all daycare centres across the country.

What the community is demanding:

A nationwide system to track sexual abuse allegations in daycares
Daycare facilities adhere to the same standards of transparency and accountability as schools.
Daycare centres adopt more stringent recruitment and screening procedures
Daycare centres must be mandated to disclose all staff, including agency workers, to parents.
Enhanced security measures, including increased camera surveillance throughout the centre at least in play areas
Expedition of mandatory sexual abuse reporting requirements for daycare workers in Western Australia
National guidelines need to be developed for mandatory training for parents, children and staff addressing signs and management of suspected child abuse

Sincerely,

[Your name]

To:

The Minister of Police

Pre-verbal children are vulnerable, voiceless and seem unable to provide evidence that leads to charges and convictions and thus deserve a voice in the legal system.

The law needs to accommodate their voice.

Clarification around ‘unsubstantiated’ and where sexual harm does not meet the criteria to meet standards in the criminal justice system, a professional opinion is sought on the likelihood of whether or not a child has been harmed*
Professional opinion should be sought from forensic psychologists, psychologists with experience and training in child development and sexual abuse, paediatricians and speech pathologists should be involved in the investigation of all daycare child cases. Expert developmental knowledge is critical.
Senior police are retained
Police should have more powers to investigate child sexual abuse cases in daycares, while also considering individual rights and privacy concerns.

*recommendation from Bravehearts Abbey project Discussion Paper Published in June 2016, Abbey’s Project Discussion Pape

Sincerely,

[Your name]

Supporters

Sign it!

I would like to receive updates.

We are writing to the Ministers responsible for daycare centres and police investigation standards.

Because of the inherent risks of predators, prevalence of sexual abuse in children and the inherent vulnerability of toddlers our children should be protected at daycare by mandatory parent and child sexual abuse education, tighter screening measures and cameras throughout the centre. When allegations of abuse are made, investigations should be thorough, they should have a voice in the justice system and should have child sexual abuse developmental experts provide opinion when the outcome is no offence detected.

Continued failure to provide these measures is effectively government funded and PROTECTED sexual abuse.

To:

The Minister for Early Childhood Education; Child Protection; Prevention of Family and Domestic Violence; Community Services

Pre-verbal children are vulnerable, voiceless and unable to provide evidence that leads to convictions and thus deserve greater protection.

We urge lawmakers and relevant authorities to take immediate action towards implementing stringent reforms in all daycare centres across the country.

What the community is demanding:

A nationwide system to track sexual abuse allegations in daycares
Daycare facilities adhere to the same standards of transparency and accountability as schools.
Daycare centres adopt more stringent recruitment and screening procedures
Daycare centres must be mandated to disclose all staff, including agency workers, to parents.
Enhanced security measures, including increased camera surveillance in play areas
Expedition of  mandatory sexual abuse reporting requirements for daycare workers in Western Australia
National guidelines need to be developed for mandatory training for parents, children and staff addressing signs and management of suspected child abuse
Sincerely,

[Your name]

To:

The Minister of Police

Pre-verbal children are vulnerable, voiceless and seem unable to provide evidence that leads to charges and convictions and thus deserve a voice in the legal system.

The law needs to accommodate their voice.

Clarification around ‘unsubstantiated’ and where sexual harm does not meet the criteria to meet standards in the criminal justice system, a professional opinion is sought on the likelihood of whether or not a child has been harmed*
Professional opinion should be sought from forensic psychologists, psychologists with experience and training in child development and sexual abuse, paediatricians and speech pathologists should be involved in the investigation of all daycare child cases. Expert developmental knowledge is critical.
Senior police are retained
Police should have more powers to investigate child sexual abuse cases in daycares, while also considering individual rights and privacy concerns.
*recommendation from Bravehearts Abbey project Discussion Paper Published in June 2016, Abbey’s Project Discussion Pape

Sincerely,

[Your name]

Every child deserves to be safe from sexual abuse at daycare. Since they can't speak up, they need your voice. Political change through petitions is slow. Create fast change with Google reviews. Join the daycare sexual abuse prevention parent Google review movement to reduce the risk of abuse at daycare.