The Facts
Too Many Children Face Abuse in Daycare — Protect Yours
Dear Caregivers,
Every parent wants their child to be safe, yet babies and toddlers cannot always tell us when something is wrong. As their eyes and voice, we need to stay alert, informed, and proactive.
I’ve learned this the hard way. When my child came home from daycare upset and showing signs of distress, I realised that even trusted settings can sometimes carry hidden risks. My experience, and those of other families, inspired me to create a guide for parents — a resource to help you recognise warning signs, choose safe daycare centres, and know what steps to take if concerns arise.
Toddlers are especially vulnerable because they often lack the words to communicate what’s happening. That’s why parents and caregivers must learn to notice the small signs, ask the right questions, and advocate for their child’s safety. This guide is designed to give you the knowledge and confidence to do exactly that.
High-profile investigations, like the ABC Hunting Ground expose, and high profile cases such as Ashley Griffith and Joshua Brown, remind us that hundreds of cases of abuse can occur even in familiar, trusted environments and often goes undetected for years.
Understanding the risks, recognising the signs, and knowing how to respond are essential steps in protecting children.
Had I been aware that abuse was a risk even when ‘undetected’, I would have chosen facilities with surveillance cameras, training for parents carers, and children and immediately presented to the hospitals specialist child sexual abuse services and/or sought support from organisations like 1800 RESPECT or 1800 BRAVEHEARTS.
This guide is practical and actionable. It covers:
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How to recognise subtle warning signs
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How to choose daycare centres with strong safety practices
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How to respond effectively if concerns arise
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Resources and support services to help you take action
By taking a few minutes to read this guide, you’re equipping yourself to protect your child’s safety and wellbeing — before problems arise. Small steps today can make a profound difference tomorrow.
Reports show that around 1 in 10 men self-report committing sexual offences against children (Australian Human Rights Insitute November 2023). Alarmingly, research indicates a significant portion of female-perpetrated child sexual abuse occurs within organisational settings, including daycare centres (Child Wise, 2006).
Sincerely,
Jane
*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; Child Protection; Prevention of Family and Domestic Violence
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 for Police
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 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
