Latest news with #STItesting
Daily Mail
2 days ago
- Health
- Daily Mail
New reality for parents after daycare worker was charged with 70 child abuses offences
Parents are facing an agonising wait after their toddlers were tested for sexually transmitted diseases following the arrest of accused childcare predator Joshua Brown. Joshua Dale Brown, 26, has been charged with more than 70 child abuse offences, including sexual penetration of a child under 12 and producing child abuse material. The charges also include 'recklessly contaminate goods to cause alarm or anxiety,' which is understood to refer to the alleged contamination of food with bodily fluids. Days before his arrest, Brown was working in the kitchen at Papilio Early Learning Centre in Essendon and was helping with meal preparation while the chef was away. The alleged offences occurred during Brown's employment at Creative Garden Early Learning Centre Point Cook, where he worked from October 2021 to February 2024. His eight alleged victims were aged between five months and two years old and were enrolled at the Point Cook childcare centre. Following his arrest, the Victorian Department of Health and Victoria Police issued an urgent warning urging parents of 1,200 children to take them to the doctor for STI testing. The horrified parents have revealed that even with a clean bill of health, there is still a 'dark cloud' weighing on their minds, as Brown had been around their children. One mother explained her family has already suffered emotional damage and that work on their mental health is needed to put the ordeal behind them. 'Even when the urine tests come back negative, which I'm hoping and praying they do, this will always be a dark cloud hanging over our heads,' she told 'We will never have complete peace of mind or certainty over what exposure Joshua Brown had with our kids.' One father shared the traumatic experience of having his seven-year-old daughter tested for STIs. The dad claimed the testing not only affected him, his wife, and their daughter, but also that the pathologist, receptionists, and doctor were 'visibly upset.' 'My daughter was saying 'Daddy, this is really hurting me, make the lady stop,'' the father told the Herald Sun. 'The urine test was OK, she thought it was quite amusing, but the blood tests … They had to take two full vials so the needle was in her arm for quite a long time.' He labelled the tests as the easy part of the ordeal, claiming the agonising wait for the results, which could take up to seven days, filled him with anxiety. 'It's every bit as bad as you think it's going to be. Every time my phone rings … I get anxiety, every time it rings,' he said. Other parents are trying to figure out whether their children, who attended childcare centres across the state, had come into contact with Brown. Victoria Police published a list of 20 childcare centres where Brown worked over an eight-year period between January 2017 and May 2025. However, other centres not on the list have confirmed Brown was on staff. One mother, whose children attend a Milestones centre, discovered Brown was at the childcare on December 5, 2024, after using Storypark — a platform that provides parents with updates on their child's day. 'I feel so sick and upset, that's two days we now know of,' the mum told 'Will there be more days discovered and who will tell us? Or do we have to investigate with the news to be our people who find the truth?' The mum added it was sad that parents had to investigate for themselves, rather than authorities or centres being proactive in informing them. A father explained it was becoming 'sickening' trying to work out whether his child visited a centre on the same day as Brown. Another mother said she could not sleep because of the uncertainty over whether Brown had crossed paths with her children. In the wake of Brown's arrest, three of Australia's largest childcare operators have announced they would be implementing safeguards to protect children. Goodstart, G8 Education, and Affinity — which account for more than 30 per cent of long daycare providers nationwide — have already implemented safeguards, including CCTV cameras. G8 Education issued a market update to the ASX stating it would accelerate the rollout of CCTV cameras across its centres after trialling them at several locations. The childcare provider also intends to commission an independent review once Brown's criminal proceedings are finalised. 'These allegations are deeply disturbing, and our hearts go out to the children and families involved,' G8 Education Chief Executive Pejman Okhovat said. 'I am deeply sorry for the unimaginable pain caused to our families and what they are going through.' Meanwhile, Affinity is immediately installing CCTV and secure lock boxes across all its centres, a move which is set to cost around $10million. The childcare industry has also welcomed the government's move to strengthen protections for children. Brown is set to face court in September.
Daily Mail
5 days ago
- Health
- Daily Mail
Almost 200 distressed parents are turning to legal help after the shock allegations of child sex offences by a childcare worker
Parents of children who had to be tested for STIs after a childcare worker was accused of dozens of sickening offences have been driven to quit work. Joshua Dale Brown, 26, has been charged with more than 70 child abuse offences, including the sexual penetration of a child and producing child abuse material. The alleged offences occurred during Brown's employment at Creative Garden Early Learning Centre Point Cook, where he worked from October 2021 to February 2024. Last week, an urgent warning from the Victorian Department of Health and Victoria Police horrified the parents of 1,200 children who were told to get them tested for infectious diseases. Days later, on Thursday, almost 200 parents filled a room at Sanctuary Lakes Function Centre in Point Cook, in southwest Melbourne, to discuss legal action. The crowd were very emotional during the event which had been organised by high-profile Victorian law firm Arnold Thomas & Becker. Many broke down in tears and felt overwhelmed by the lack of information. Some raised concerns there was a lack of accountability by childcare centres, the government and the police. Principal lawyer Jodie Harris heard from some parents who had to give up work to stay home with their children and have said they are 'suffering their own mental health conditions'. She told Daily Mail Australia they are 'so concerned that they've put their child in a position where they may have been abused'. 'A major red flag for us in considering actions on behalf of families is just the sheer amount of access (Brown) had one-on-one with children to allow this alleged offending to occur.' The lawyer said the firm will be starting legal proceedings in the 'very near future', but added they are unsure whether it will be a class action suit. A GP from MyHealth Clinic in Point Cook, Dr Parul Solanki also attended the event to offer advice to parents on testing and how they should handle it. This included discussing the 'inconsistent' approach of the state government's health department which is understood to have asked some families to do urine tests and others to do blood test. Many questions were directed to the doctor around the process of testing and the 'injuries' caused to children as a result. The department declined to comment when contacted by Daily Mail Australia, pointing to its FAQ page offering information to parents. A spokesperson for Victoria Police said officers are working through further material provided over the past few days by childcare centres in relation to Brown's employment history. 'All of the childcare providers are cooperating fully with police on this matter,' they said. 'This assessment is being completed by police as a priority. 'We understand that many in the community are feeling concerned and anxious. 'However it is incredibly important that this information is confirmed, then thoroughly reviewed with other relevant agencies prior to any public release.' They said that, once the assessment is completed, authorities will seek to inform the impacted parties directly and also update the government website. The investigation remains ongoing and anyone with further information has been urged to contact Crime Stoppers via the website or on 1800 333 000. Brown worked at 20 childcare centres over an eight-year period between January 2017 and May 2025. His Point Cook home was raided by police shortly after an investigation was launched earlier that same month. Police have said he was not known to them before his arrest and he had a valid Working With Children Check, which has since been cancelled. He will next appear at Melbourne Magistrates' Court on September 15.
Daily Mail
05-07-2025
- Daily Mail
Bewildered co-worker of accused paedophile Joshua Brown reveals her biggest regret after trusting him to look after her own children
A former colleague of an accused paedophile is now wracked with bewilderment closely working with him at a childcare facility. Alleged paedophile Joshua Brown has been charged with more than 70 child sex offences, including the sexual penetration of a child and producing child abuse material. The 26-year-old is also charged with recklessly contaminate goods to cause alarm or anxiety, which is understood to refer to the alleged contamination of food with bodily fluids. A number of the alleged offences took place during his time at the Creative Garden Early Learning Centre in Point Cook, in Melbourne, where he worked with Jessica (not her real name). The pair got to know each other while worked together for more than a year caring for children, changing nappies and organising meal times while making small talk about their family and friends. The pair became so close that Jessica trusted Brown to look after her own children. That changed on Tuesday, where staff and families were rocked by an urgent warning from the Victorian Department of Health and Victoria Police for the parents of 1,200 children to have them tested for infectious diseases. Since, then Jessica has struggled to come to grips with the fact that she had suspected nothing while working together. Jessica had had returned home from a school drop-off when she got the email that would turn her her family's lives upside down. Her children are among 1,200 that now need to undertake an STI test, which Jessica partially blames herself for. 'The times when I was working in the room with him, I've been playing the scenario back in my head, like did I miss stuff?' Jessica told the ABC. 'What the f***? How could this happen?' She recalled Brown coming across as kind and bubbly. 'There were no red flags. The staff did not ignore [the alleged abuse]; we are as shocked as everyone,' she said. 'I would never let that happen to a child. Like, I've been sitting here crying.' Other parents whose children were under Brown's care have since begun demanding answers from the childcare centre about how this could have happened. Daily Mail Australia exclusively revealed on Friday that at least 30 families have already approached a high-profile law firm in Victoria to seek compensation over the alleged actions of Brown while their children were under his care. Arnold Thomas and Becker Lawyers have confirmed they were contacted by a string of families about potential legal action. The law firm, which is assisting thousands of Victorians in cases over abuse as a child, believes the number of families who will reach out to them is 'only going to grow'. 'It is truly incomprehensible that someone in a position of trust and care could prey on the most innocent members of our community,' principal lawyer Jodie Harris told Daily Mail Australia. An updated list of times and places where Brown worked which is due to be released in the coming days, The Age reported. Brown is accused of abusing eight children between the ages of two-months-old and five-years-old at Creative Garden Early Learning Centre Point Cook, where he worked between October 2021 and February 2024. The Melbourne childcare worker also worked at more than a dozen other centres across the city between 2017 and 2025. It has since been suggested the advised STI tests were for gonorrhea and chlamydia. It was later suggested parents also have their children tested for syphilis. A Werribee father who spoke out on Thursday, described how his seven-year-old daughter begged medical staff to stop as they administered an STI test. 'My daughter was saying 'Daddy, this is really hurting me, make the lady stop',' he told the Herald Sun. 'You could visibly see the pathologist was upset, the receptionists were upset, the doctor was upset. Because they're all parents. It's affected everyone.' Health authorities had to contact more than 2,600 families after Brown was taken into custody in mid-May, where he remains. Police are working to comb through Brown's employment history to identify more potential daycare centres where Brown may have worked before his arrest in mid-May. 'We understand that many in the community are feeling concerned and anxious, however it is incredibly important that this information is confirmed, then thoroughly reviewed with other relevant agencies prior to any public release,' a police statement said. Brown's Point Cook home was raided by police shortly after an investigation was launched earlier that same month. Police have said he was not known to them before his arrest and he had a valid Working With Children Check, which has since been cancelled. He will next appear at Melbourne Magistrates' Court on September 15. 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732) National Sexual Abuse and Redress Support Service 1800 211 028 *Name has been changed to protect her children's identities.
Daily Mail
02-07-2025
- Daily Mail
Read the chilling text parents were sent at daycare centre where worker is accused of vile abuse of children - as they speak out about their nightmare
A disturbing text message sent to parents whose children could have had contact with accused predator Joshua Dale Brown has been revealed. Brown has been charged with 70 offences, including sexual penetration of a child, producing child abuse material and recklessly contaminating goods to cause alarm or anxiety. The latter charge refers to alleged contamination of food with bodily fluids. His arrest triggered a public health alert, with Victoria's Chief Health Officer warning that 1,200 children should get STI testing. A mass text message was sent to families linked to childcare centres where Brown worked. One mother, whose identity is protected for legal reasons, has spoken publicly after discovering her child had attended a centre where Brown was employed. The woman received a text message and said getting further information was difficult. 'I was on hold with the Victorian Government hotline for three hours,' she told the ABC, and added she went to the centre in person and encountered a distraught staff member. 'They told me there had been a person who had been charged with sexual abuse and things related to children and that person had worked in the centre at a point in time as well,' Julie said. The message the woman and others families received urged their children, who are under the age of five, to be tested for sexually transmitted diseases. 'Thank you for speaking with me today. It is recommended your child be tested for chlamydia and gonorrhoea. Please show this message to your urgent care clinic.' it said. The woman said she was furious about how little direct communication was given, and said she only learned about the allegations when the news broke publicly. Chief Health Officer Christian McGrath acknowledged the delays but said 1300 families were supported over the phone on Tuesday. 'I should have been contacted earlier, particularly before the media release. I shouldn't be finding out off the TV,' the mother said. It was revealed on Wednesday that a second Victorian man has been charged with 45 child sex offences as part of the police investigation into Brown. Michael Simon Wilson has been charged with offences including bestiality, rape and possession of child abuse material, according to court documents seen by the ABC. It is understood Brown and Wilson are known to each other, but Wilson's charges are not connected to any childcare centre and involve different alleged victims. Federal law reforms have been flagged after the allegations were revealed, including cutting funding for childcare centres that fail to meet minimum standards. The rapid government response, however, doesn't tackle the root causes of issues in a sector where half of all educators had been working for less than three years, early education advocate Lisa Bryant said. The industry has a highly casualised and underpaid workforce and it was dominated by private operators whose motive was to make money, she said. 'The primary thing about making money is that you cut the number of educators and the quality of the educators,' Ms Bryant said. 'If you're working with the same educators and the children all know you, that's really protective. Having a lot of casuals coming through your centre is not.' Brown had worked at 20 childcare facilities since 2017. Families of children who need testing will be entitled to $5000 payments to cover the cost of parents taking leave from work, travel and other requirements. The Victorian government has ordered a child safety review. It must be completed by August 15, with making CCTV mandatory in centres a major focus. 'It's a deterrent, if nothing else,' Premier Jacinta Allan said. Wilson and Brown will both appear at Melbourne Magistrates' Court on September 15.
Yahoo
25-06-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
New gonorrhoea vaccine to be rolled out in Wales from August
A new gonorrhoea vaccine will be made available as part of a sexual health programme. The vaccine rollout, which will begin in Wales in August 2025, follows a recent launch in England and will make the UK the first nation in the world to introduce such a scheme. The news comes as Public Health Wales encourages people to take up the vaccine when it becomes available, alongside practising safe sex and regular testing, following findings from its latest annual report on sexual health trends. Professor Daniel Thomas, consultant epidemiologist at Public Health Wales, said: "We are asking people to stay informed and stay safe. "Use condoms, test regularly, and take up the gonorrhoea vaccine when it becomes available. "We all have a part to play in protecting our sexual health and that of our partners." The vaccine is being introduced amid concerns over rising antibiotic resistance. Public Health Wales continues to recommend annual STI testing for all sexually active individuals, particularly those with new or multiple partners. Since its launch in 2020, the Test and Post home testing service now accounts for half of all STI tests in Wales. These confidential kits can be ordered online at or collected from community venues. Although there was a 40 per cent drop in gonorrhoea cases in Wales last year, the infection remains at historically high levels following several years of increases. Gonorrhoea is often symptomless, making regular testing and vaccine uptake especially important. Chlamydia diagnoses also fell by 16 per cent, but it remains the most commonly reported bacterial STI in Wales, particularly among 15 to 24-year-olds. Public Health Wales cautioned that the decline in reported cases might be due to changes in testing patterns rather than a true reduction in transmission. The organisation also flagged ongoing concerns about high rates of reinfection and co-infection, suggesting continued risky behaviours and underdiagnosis.
