A second suspect has been charged with child sexual offences as part of Victoria’s large-scale childcare abuse investigation.
Michael Simon Wilson was charged following a widespread investigation triggered by childcare worker Joshua Dale Brown, who was charged with 70 offences.
Appearing in court on July 2, the same day as Brown, Wilson was charged with 45 offences, including rape and bestiality.
Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan had yet to be informed of the details of Wilson’s case.
“I’ve not been briefed and nor indeed would I comment on an active police investigation,” she told media.
Additionally, the police have yet to comment on Wilson’s case, and any alleged connection between the two men remains unknown.
Brown, 26, was charged with 70 offences involving eight children, aged between five months and two years, enrolled at a childcare centre in Point Cook in west Melbourne between April 2022 and January 2023, Victorian Police revealed on July 1.
The offences 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, the production of child abuse material, and more.
He worked at around 20 childcare facilities, prompting health authorities to urge the parents of 1,200 children to test their children for unspecified infectious diseases. These families are entitled to a $5,000 payment to help cover costs such as time off work, travel, and other related expenses.
The allegations have pushed the Victorian government to launch an urgent review of child safety, to be completed by Aug. 15, establish a mandatory register of all early childhood educators, and accelerate the implementation of a mobile phone ban in childcare facilities.
The incoming national phone ban will be fast-tracked in the state, taking effect from Sept. 26, with non-compliant centres facing fines of up to $50,000.
Hits Close to Home for Federal MP
Federal Housing Minister Clare O'Neil was one of the worried parents.
“I was so panicked yesterday, looking on that list to see if any of my kids have been affected in any of these centres,” O'Neil told Seven’s Sunrise program on July 2.
“There is going to be a very fierce and appropriate discussion about what needs to change to ensure this kind of thing does not happen again.”
Acting commander of the Victoria Police Crime Command, Janet Stevenson, noted that the most important work for the investigators was identifying the victims involved.
“Detectives have been working alongside a range of agencies during this investigation to ensure as much information has been provided to impacted parties as soon as possible,” she said.
A website has been set up by the Victorian government with comprehensive information for impacted families.
The Early Learning Association Australia, the Act for Kids charity, and Scouts Australia are among the organisations advocating for nationwide reforms.
“We have found that a charge in one jurisdiction—even if it is dismissed—can prohibit an applicant from receiving a [Working with Children] card there, but not in another,” Scouts Australia Chief Commissioner Brendan Watson said.
“There is little doubt that the protection of children would be enhanced if we had one national system with all jurisdictions’ information being shared.”
National Sexual Abuse and Redress Support Service 1800 211 028
AAP contributed to this report.
