Latest news with #CreativeGardensEarlyLearningCentre
Sky News AU
3 days ago
- Sky News AU
Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan announces review into childcare sector safety after daycare worker charged with sex offences
Victoria has announced an urgent review into childcare safety after a former Melbourne daycare worker was charged with more than 70 child sex offences. Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan on Wednesday confirmed the government will fast-track a state register of childcare workers, noting work is already under way on a national level. The state will also bring forward a ban of personal devices at childcare centres, effective from September 26. Childcare facilities caught breaking the ban could be slapped with a hefty fine of up to $50,000. The reform follows allegations of sexual assault against 26-year-old former childcare worker Joshua Dale Brown being made public by police on Tuesday. Mr Brown faces staggering list of charges, including sexual penetration of a child under 12, and producing child abuse material for use through a carriage service. The offences allegedly occurred at Creative Gardens Early Learning Centre in Point Cook, where Mr Brown was employed from October 2021 until February 2024. "Every Victorian was just so completed horrified by those sickening allegations that were made public," Ms Allan told reporters on Wednesday. Ms Allan said she would not comment further on the case, noting there is an active police investigation. "What we do know ... is that families must be able to trust that their children are safe when they are placed in the care in childcare centres," Ms Allan said. "I will do everything in my power to make sure that parents can trust the system." Ms Allan acknowledged work was being done with the Commonwealth and state and territories governments to strengthen safety in the childcare sector, but stressed urgent reform is needed. "Here in Victoria, though, I will not wait. Families cannot wait," the Premier said. "More needs to happen now and that is why, in acknowledging that there is work to create a national register of childcare workers, more needs to happen now. "We will start building the Victorian register to give families an extra layer of checks and balances as soon as possible." Ms Allan said all Victorian childcare centres will be put "on notice" that they will need to adhere to the personal devices ban from September 26. The Premier will ask for the review into the state's childcare sector to be provided to the government by August 15. Ms Allan said the review will be will be a "short sharp piece of work that will focus on the immediate actions" the state can take to strengthen childcare safety. "I want this Victorian review to examine options, for example, of installing CCTV in childcare centres," she said. "We'll also too look at the national framework for childcare to see if we can go even further and act faster on any of the measures that are currently being considered at a national level. "I'll be clear too, that we will be adopting the recommendations of the review and looking at how we can implement them as quickly as possible." The person tasked with spearheading the review is expected to be announced by the end of the week.
The Advertiser
3 days ago
- The Advertiser
Phones banned in childcare as second man charged with sex abuse crimes
A second man has been charged with sex abuse crimes against children as investigators probe allegations of "heinous" offences at childcare centres. The accused will face court on September 15 over 45 charges including rape and possession of child abuse material. The arrest comes after detectives revealed that charges had been laid against 26-year-old childcare worker Joshua Brown in May for crimes against eight alleged victims at a Point Cook daycare. Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan has moved to strengthen childcare worker checks, as well as adopt a ban on mobile phones in childcare centres from September 26. "I acknowledge there is work to create a national register of childcare workers. But this needs to happen now," she said on July 2. "That's why we will start building the Victorian register to give families an extra layer of checks and balances as soon as possible. "Work is also ongoing at a national level to ban the use of personal devices in childcare centres - in Victoria we'll bring that forward." She said any childcare centres that do not comply with the personal device rules will have a ban imposed on them as a condition of license and may face fines up to $50,000. "We will also commission an urgent review into childcare safety in Victoria," Ms Allan said. Mr Brown held valid Working with Children documentation when he was arrested, and a rapid review into strengthening workers' screenings started in April as a result. "I want to make it clear to our Early Childhood workforce that I know the alleged actions of a single individual do not reflect the many dedicated and professional childcare educators and staff, who go above and beyond to care for and teach children," Ms Allan said. Detectives were in the process of contacting the parents of children who were in Mr Brown's care between 2017 and 2025. Health authorities have recommended that 1200 children undergo free testing for an infectious disease that may have been spread by the alleged offender. Mr Brown, who worked at Creative Gardens Early Learning Centre in Point Cook from April 2022 to January 2023, was charged with more than 70 offences. The alleged victims were aged between five months and two years old. The charges included sexual penetration of a child under 12, sexual assault of a child under 16, sexual activity in the presence of a child under 16, producing child abuse material for use through a carriage service and recklessly contaminating goods to cause alarm or anxiety. He was also charged with attempted sexual penetration of a child under 12, using a carriage service to transmit child abuse material, possessing child abuse material for use through a carriage service, using a carriage service to offend and using a carriage service to cause child abuse material to be transmitted to oneself. "There will be people in the community who hear this news and feel very concerned about their own children," Acting Commander Janet Stevenson said. "Parents who had a child at a centre at the time of the man's employment are being notified today and a website has been set up by the Victorian Government with further information for impacted families," she said. Mr Brown was remanded and has remained in custody since his arrest. He will appear at Melbourne Magistrates' Court on September 15, 2025. Detectives have established that Mr Brown worked at a number of childcare facilities before and after his employment at the Point Cook childcare centre. Police believe he worked at 20 childcare centres between January 2017 and May 2025 and are contacting the parents of children at the facilities during his employment. Detectives are also examining evidence of an allegation at a second childcare centre in Essendon, police said. "We know there are potentially people out there who have information about this investigation that they wish to pass on to police," Acting Commander Stevenson said. "This may be people who had children at a centre where the man worked or staff who may have worked with him and noticed particular behaviours," she said. "If you do have information, then we urge you to contact Crime Stoppers." The investigation is ongoing, detectives said. The Victorian government has set up a website with further health information for impacted families and this is accessible at Police are urging anyone with information to contact Crime Stoppers on or via 1800 333 000. A second man has been charged with sex abuse crimes against children as investigators probe allegations of "heinous" offences at childcare centres. The accused will face court on September 15 over 45 charges including rape and possession of child abuse material. The arrest comes after detectives revealed that charges had been laid against 26-year-old childcare worker Joshua Brown in May for crimes against eight alleged victims at a Point Cook daycare. Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan has moved to strengthen childcare worker checks, as well as adopt a ban on mobile phones in childcare centres from September 26. "I acknowledge there is work to create a national register of childcare workers. But this needs to happen now," she said on July 2. "That's why we will start building the Victorian register to give families an extra layer of checks and balances as soon as possible. "Work is also ongoing at a national level to ban the use of personal devices in childcare centres - in Victoria we'll bring that forward." She said any childcare centres that do not comply with the personal device rules will have a ban imposed on them as a condition of license and may face fines up to $50,000. "We will also commission an urgent review into childcare safety in Victoria," Ms Allan said. Mr Brown held valid Working with Children documentation when he was arrested, and a rapid review into strengthening workers' screenings started in April as a result. "I want to make it clear to our Early Childhood workforce that I know the alleged actions of a single individual do not reflect the many dedicated and professional childcare educators and staff, who go above and beyond to care for and teach children," Ms Allan said. Detectives were in the process of contacting the parents of children who were in Mr Brown's care between 2017 and 2025. Health authorities have recommended that 1200 children undergo free testing for an infectious disease that may have been spread by the alleged offender. Mr Brown, who worked at Creative Gardens Early Learning Centre in Point Cook from April 2022 to January 2023, was charged with more than 70 offences. The alleged victims were aged between five months and two years old. The charges included sexual penetration of a child under 12, sexual assault of a child under 16, sexual activity in the presence of a child under 16, producing child abuse material for use through a carriage service and recklessly contaminating goods to cause alarm or anxiety. He was also charged with attempted sexual penetration of a child under 12, using a carriage service to transmit child abuse material, possessing child abuse material for use through a carriage service, using a carriage service to offend and using a carriage service to cause child abuse material to be transmitted to oneself. "There will be people in the community who hear this news and feel very concerned about their own children," Acting Commander Janet Stevenson said. "Parents who had a child at a centre at the time of the man's employment are being notified today and a website has been set up by the Victorian Government with further information for impacted families," she said. Mr Brown was remanded and has remained in custody since his arrest. He will appear at Melbourne Magistrates' Court on September 15, 2025. Detectives have established that Mr Brown worked at a number of childcare facilities before and after his employment at the Point Cook childcare centre. Police believe he worked at 20 childcare centres between January 2017 and May 2025 and are contacting the parents of children at the facilities during his employment. Detectives are also examining evidence of an allegation at a second childcare centre in Essendon, police said. "We know there are potentially people out there who have information about this investigation that they wish to pass on to police," Acting Commander Stevenson said. "This may be people who had children at a centre where the man worked or staff who may have worked with him and noticed particular behaviours," she said. "If you do have information, then we urge you to contact Crime Stoppers." The investigation is ongoing, detectives said. The Victorian government has set up a website with further health information for impacted families and this is accessible at Police are urging anyone with information to contact Crime Stoppers on or via 1800 333 000. A second man has been charged with sex abuse crimes against children as investigators probe allegations of "heinous" offences at childcare centres. The accused will face court on September 15 over 45 charges including rape and possession of child abuse material. The arrest comes after detectives revealed that charges had been laid against 26-year-old childcare worker Joshua Brown in May for crimes against eight alleged victims at a Point Cook daycare. Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan has moved to strengthen childcare worker checks, as well as adopt a ban on mobile phones in childcare centres from September 26. "I acknowledge there is work to create a national register of childcare workers. But this needs to happen now," she said on July 2. "That's why we will start building the Victorian register to give families an extra layer of checks and balances as soon as possible. "Work is also ongoing at a national level to ban the use of personal devices in childcare centres - in Victoria we'll bring that forward." She said any childcare centres that do not comply with the personal device rules will have a ban imposed on them as a condition of license and may face fines up to $50,000. "We will also commission an urgent review into childcare safety in Victoria," Ms Allan said. Mr Brown held valid Working with Children documentation when he was arrested, and a rapid review into strengthening workers' screenings started in April as a result. "I want to make it clear to our Early Childhood workforce that I know the alleged actions of a single individual do not reflect the many dedicated and professional childcare educators and staff, who go above and beyond to care for and teach children," Ms Allan said. Detectives were in the process of contacting the parents of children who were in Mr Brown's care between 2017 and 2025. Health authorities have recommended that 1200 children undergo free testing for an infectious disease that may have been spread by the alleged offender. Mr Brown, who worked at Creative Gardens Early Learning Centre in Point Cook from April 2022 to January 2023, was charged with more than 70 offences. The alleged victims were aged between five months and two years old. The charges included sexual penetration of a child under 12, sexual assault of a child under 16, sexual activity in the presence of a child under 16, producing child abuse material for use through a carriage service and recklessly contaminating goods to cause alarm or anxiety. He was also charged with attempted sexual penetration of a child under 12, using a carriage service to transmit child abuse material, possessing child abuse material for use through a carriage service, using a carriage service to offend and using a carriage service to cause child abuse material to be transmitted to oneself. "There will be people in the community who hear this news and feel very concerned about their own children," Acting Commander Janet Stevenson said. "Parents who had a child at a centre at the time of the man's employment are being notified today and a website has been set up by the Victorian Government with further information for impacted families," she said. Mr Brown was remanded and has remained in custody since his arrest. He will appear at Melbourne Magistrates' Court on September 15, 2025. Detectives have established that Mr Brown worked at a number of childcare facilities before and after his employment at the Point Cook childcare centre. Police believe he worked at 20 childcare centres between January 2017 and May 2025 and are contacting the parents of children at the facilities during his employment. Detectives are also examining evidence of an allegation at a second childcare centre in Essendon, police said. "We know there are potentially people out there who have information about this investigation that they wish to pass on to police," Acting Commander Stevenson said. "This may be people who had children at a centre where the man worked or staff who may have worked with him and noticed particular behaviours," she said. "If you do have information, then we urge you to contact Crime Stoppers." The investigation is ongoing, detectives said. The Victorian government has set up a website with further health information for impacted families and this is accessible at Police are urging anyone with information to contact Crime Stoppers on or via 1800 333 000. A second man has been charged with sex abuse crimes against children as investigators probe allegations of "heinous" offences at childcare centres. The accused will face court on September 15 over 45 charges including rape and possession of child abuse material. The arrest comes after detectives revealed that charges had been laid against 26-year-old childcare worker Joshua Brown in May for crimes against eight alleged victims at a Point Cook daycare. Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan has moved to strengthen childcare worker checks, as well as adopt a ban on mobile phones in childcare centres from September 26. "I acknowledge there is work to create a national register of childcare workers. But this needs to happen now," she said on July 2. "That's why we will start building the Victorian register to give families an extra layer of checks and balances as soon as possible. "Work is also ongoing at a national level to ban the use of personal devices in childcare centres - in Victoria we'll bring that forward." She said any childcare centres that do not comply with the personal device rules will have a ban imposed on them as a condition of license and may face fines up to $50,000. "We will also commission an urgent review into childcare safety in Victoria," Ms Allan said. Mr Brown held valid Working with Children documentation when he was arrested, and a rapid review into strengthening workers' screenings started in April as a result. "I want to make it clear to our Early Childhood workforce that I know the alleged actions of a single individual do not reflect the many dedicated and professional childcare educators and staff, who go above and beyond to care for and teach children," Ms Allan said. Detectives were in the process of contacting the parents of children who were in Mr Brown's care between 2017 and 2025. Health authorities have recommended that 1200 children undergo free testing for an infectious disease that may have been spread by the alleged offender. Mr Brown, who worked at Creative Gardens Early Learning Centre in Point Cook from April 2022 to January 2023, was charged with more than 70 offences. The alleged victims were aged between five months and two years old. The charges included sexual penetration of a child under 12, sexual assault of a child under 16, sexual activity in the presence of a child under 16, producing child abuse material for use through a carriage service and recklessly contaminating goods to cause alarm or anxiety. He was also charged with attempted sexual penetration of a child under 12, using a carriage service to transmit child abuse material, possessing child abuse material for use through a carriage service, using a carriage service to offend and using a carriage service to cause child abuse material to be transmitted to oneself. "There will be people in the community who hear this news and feel very concerned about their own children," Acting Commander Janet Stevenson said. "Parents who had a child at a centre at the time of the man's employment are being notified today and a website has been set up by the Victorian Government with further information for impacted families," she said. Mr Brown was remanded and has remained in custody since his arrest. He will appear at Melbourne Magistrates' Court on September 15, 2025. Detectives have established that Mr Brown worked at a number of childcare facilities before and after his employment at the Point Cook childcare centre. Police believe he worked at 20 childcare centres between January 2017 and May 2025 and are contacting the parents of children at the facilities during his employment. Detectives are also examining evidence of an allegation at a second childcare centre in Essendon, police said. "We know there are potentially people out there who have information about this investigation that they wish to pass on to police," Acting Commander Stevenson said. "This may be people who had children at a centre where the man worked or staff who may have worked with him and noticed particular behaviours," she said. "If you do have information, then we urge you to contact Crime Stoppers." The investigation is ongoing, detectives said. The Victorian government has set up a website with further health information for impacted families and this is accessible at Police are urging anyone with information to contact Crime Stoppers on or via 1800 333 000.
Sky News AU
3 days ago
- Sky News AU
Alleged Melbourne childcare sex offender revealed to be son of female prison officer involved in jail controversy
Shocking details have come to light about the family history of a Melbourne childcare worker charged with over 70 child sex offences, as neighbours who lived across the street from the man, eerily described him as a "loner''. Joshua Dale Brown, 26, from Point Cook, faces a staggering list of serious child sex offences relating to eight victims who were in his care. As he currently remains in custody, new information has confirmed Mr Brown is the son of a prison officer, who admitted to lying about calling a nurse in the hours before an Indigenous woman died in jail on January 1, 2020. Alleged child sexual abuser Joshua Dale Brown is the son of a prison officer, who admitted to lying about calling a nurse in the hours before an Indigenous woman died in jail. Picture: Supplied Veronica Nelson was reportedly screaming in pain and complained of cramps in her legs and fingers when Mr Brown's mother, Tracey Brown, told her to drink fluids and gave her a paracetamol through a trap in her cell door, according to the Herald Sun. Ms Nelson then used her unit cell's intercom system about nine times after the pain medication to call for help, but was told by Ms Brown at 3.33am nothing more could be done to help her. She was found dead about four hours later at the Dame Phyllis Frost Centre. Ms Brown was a prison guard on night shift at the time of the incident. A medical examination revealed the woman had a serious, undiagnosed gastrointestinal condition. During an inquest, Ms Brown said she "wished" she helped Ms Nelson when asked by counsel whether she should have checked on her. Joshua Dale Brown, 26, from Point Cook, faces a staggering list of serious child sex offences relating to eight victims who were in his care. Picture: Supplied. Victoria Police are understood to be still investigating, as Mr Brown faces horror charges including sexual penetration of a child under 12, producing and transmitting child abuse material, and recklessly contaminating goods to cause alarm or anxiety. The offences allegedly occurred at Creative Gardens Early Learning Centre in Point Cook, where Mr Brown was employed from October 2021 until February 2024. Point Cook residents familiar with Mr Brown told the Herald Sun he wasn't someone who was invited into the neighbourhood group chat or a person they spoke much about until now. Residents were also unaware that his mother had been part of a jail incident involving the death of an Indigenous woman. Deanna Song, a neighbour with a three-year-old daughter, said "it's scary" the incident occurred so close by to her. 'It's shocking news … it's scary that it happened so close to me. Sometimes my daughter and neighbour's little children are down at this park in the middle of all the units," she told The Herald Sun. 'We were trying to piece the puzzle together (of his arrest) … and then this morning someone sent the article (in the group chat). 'We didn't know much about him … I didn't have any conversations, not like with my other neighbours." Victoria Police has issued a plea to families of more than 1,200 potentially affected children to have their kids tested "for infectious diseases". The full list of the 20 centres where Mr Brown was employed between January 2018 and May 2025 has been made public in what police describe as a move made "out of an abundance of caution". The Victorian Department of Health has also activated a public health response, urging parent to have their children screened for infectious diseases, depending on their potential exposure during the period of alleged offending.
Washington Post
3 days ago
- Washington Post
Tests urged for 1,200 children after day-care worker charged with assault
Authorities in Australia have recommended about 1,200 young children undergo health screening, after a man who worked at a string of child care centers in the state of Victoria was charged with more than 70 offenses including sexual assault. Joshua Brown, a 26-year-old man from Point Cook in southwest Melbourne, was charged on May 12 with more than 70 offenses including sexual assault, sexual activity in the presence of a child, as well as possessing and producing child abuse material, Victoria Police said in a statement Tuesday. The charges relate to eight victims ranging from five months to 2 years old, who were placed at a Point Cook child care center between April 2022 and January 2023, police said. The center has been identified as Creative Gardens Early Learning Centre, Point Cook by Victorian authorities. A total of 20 child care centers where Brown worked between January 2017 and May 2025, including some for as little as one day, have been named so parents can check whether they may have used the facilities during those dates, authorities said. Acting commander of Victoria Police's Crime Command unit, Janet Stevenson, said in a news conference Tuesday that Brown was charged after a search warrant was carried out at his home. She said Brown was not known to police before the investigation and had passed background checks to work with children in the state. 'He was a child care worker at the time of his arrest,' she said, adding that he was providing temporary child care cover in some cases, and may have held other roles throughout his employment. Stevenson described the investigation as 'incredibly distressing and confronting,' in the police statement. 'The most important thing for our investigators was that we needed to identify the victims involved. These are some of the most vulnerable members of our community, and the conversations police have had to have with their families were no doubt life changing in the worst possible way.' Victoria's chief health officer Christian McGrath said health authorities have contacted around 2,600 families who attended the relevant centers over the period of alleged offending. Around 1,200 children have been recommended to undergo screening for infectious diseases as a precaution due to a potential risk of exposure, he said, adding that the large figure is due to an 'abundance of caution' and to provide certainty for families. McGrath declined to comment on the nature of the infectious diseases and if any of the victims or the accused had tested positive, citing private health information and the sensitive nature of the investigation. 'We do understand that this is another distressing element to this situation,' McGrath said, speaking at the same news conference Tuesday. 'Families and the wider community can be assured that the infections that the children were potentially exposed to can be treated with antibiotics and there is no broader public health risk to the community.' At this stage, there is no evidence to suggest other staff members at any of the centers were involved or that any other alleged offenses have taken place outside the state of Victoria, police said in the statement. However detectives are also examining an allegation of an offense at a second child care center based in Essendon — another suburb of Melbourne — which is being investigated as a priority, police said. Victorian authorities have set up a dedicated website and helpline for those affected, while testing will be carried out free of charge. Families will also be eligible for a payment of $3,292 (A$5,000) to help with alternative care arrangements and loss of earnings, the website said. Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan said she was 'sickened by these allegations of abuse' at the same news conference Tuesday alongside police and health officials. 'They are shocking and distressing, and my heart just breaks for the families who are living every parent's worst nightmare,' she said. 'As a parent too I can only imagine the unbearable grief and pain the affected families are experiencing right now.'
9 News
4 days ago
- 9 News
All the places the childcare worker accused of 70 offences in Melbourne has worked
Your web browser is no longer supported. To improve your experience update it here Victorian health authorities and police are urging parents and carers to check whether their child attended one of the childcare centres where a man accused of 70 offences, including child sexual assault, was employed. Due to the manner of the alleged offending, a public health response is underway and about 1200 children are recommended to be screened for infectious diseases. Joshua Brown, 26, was arrested on May 12. (Supplied) Parents and carers are advised to cross-check their child's attendance with that list. "This is an incredibly distressing and confronting investigation for all involved, and I know many members of the community will hear this news and feel enormously concerned," Victoria Police Acting Commander Janet Stevenson said. Here is the advice from the authorities. Brown was arrested and charged with 70 offences on May 12. The charges include sexual penetration of a child under 12, sexual assault of a child under 16, sexual activity in the presence of a child under 16 and producing child abuse material for use through a carriage service. These charges relate to the eight alleged victims at the Creative Gardens Early Learning Centre at Point Cook between April 2022 and January 2023. Police are also examining evidence relating to an allegation at a second childcare centre in Essendon. Brown was remanded in custody, where he will remain until he faces Melbourne Magistrates Court on September 15. According to Stevenson, Brown was not known to police before his arrest and had a valid working with children check. Joshua Brown has worked at 20 childcare centres across Melbourne between January 2017 and May 2025. (Supplied) Brown has worked at 20 childcare centres across Melbourne between January 2017 and May 2025. As this is an ongoing investigation, police said the list of childcare centres may change and advised families to check back online for any updates. Currently, his known places of employment are: Nino Early Learning Adventures (Point Cook) between January 15 2017, to June 2019 Explorers Early Learning (Point Cook) between August 18 2019, to October 27 2019, and further casual work on November 10 2019, and December 22 2019 Adventurers Education (Wyndham Vale) between November 25 2019, to July 24 2020 Only About Children (Williamstown) between October 28 2020, to March 30 2021 Wallaby Childcare Centre (Sanctuary Lakes) between April 13 2021, to May 25 2021 Nido Early Learning School (Werribee) between June 21 2021, to July 16 2021 Creative Gardens (Point Cook) between October 28 2021, to February 2 2024 Leopold World of Learning (Leopold) between February 9 2023, to February 13 2023 Greenwood (Point Cook) between February 14 2023, to March 10 2023 Little Blossoms Child Care Centre (Werribee) between August 14 2023, to August 17 2023 D.O.T.S Occupational Therapy for Children (Footscray) between March 1 2024, to April 30 2024 Aussie Kindies Early Learning (Sunbury) between August 13 2024, to August 21 2024 Milestones Early Learning (Werribee) between August 14 2024, to August 16 2024 Milestones Early Learning (Hoppers Crossing) on August 19 2024 Papilio Early Learning (Hoppers Crossing) between August 22 2024, to March 12 2025 Kids Academy (Melton) on September 12 2024 Kids Academy (Kensington) between October 7 2024, to October 9 2024 Aussie Kindies Early Learning (Keilor) on February 11 2025 Papilio Early Learning (Essendon) between February 17 2025, to May 9 2025 Milestones Early Learning (Bundoora) on May 8 2025 Victoria Police Acting Commander Janet Stevenson. (9News) A public health response is under way as expert advice suggests some children may have been exposed to an infectious disease at the childcare centres. Authorities are recommending about 1200 children be screened for infectious diseases out of precaution. Families who may be affected have already been contacted by the Department of Health and Victoria Police. It may be possible that those recommended for testing had no exposure, and not every child who attended the listed childcare centres will be recommended for testing. Anyone who has not been contacted likely has not been identified as someone who needs further public health information. However, some families may have moved homes or changed their contact details. Parents and carers are advised to check the list of childcare centres and contact the dedicated advice hotline on 1800 791 241 if they believe their child was at the centre during the same time Brown was employed. The hotline is open seven days a week between 8am to 9pm on weekdays and 8am to 5pm on weekends. Anyone with further health concerns should contact their GP. Testing is not advised for staff members at the listed childcare centres, but those concerned about their health are also urged to contact their GP. The Department of Health and Victoria Police have contacted a total of 2600 families. (Supplied) The Department of Health and Victoria Police have contacted a total of 2600 families whose children attended the childcare centres at the same time Brown was employed via email, text and post. This includes the 1200 families whose child may have been exposed to an infectious disease. Anyone who has not been contacted likely has not been identified as someone who needs further information. But those whose contact details may have changed, or have a child who attended one of the childcare centres during the same time Brown was employed, can call the hotline for more advice. According to authorities, no. The families of the eight alleged victims have been contacted by police. If you have not been contacted by police, there is no evidence to suggest your child has been offended against. Police urge anyone who believes something inappropriate has happened to their child or has any more information to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000. Some families will be eligible to receive $5000 to help with alternative care arrangements, loss of earnings and other needs. The Department of Health will assess eligibility. More resources and information on trauma and sexual assault services are available here . Support is available from the National Sexual Assault, Domestic and Family Violence Counselling Service at 1800RESPECT (1800 737 732) . Kids Helpline 1800 55 1800. CONTACT US
