Child sexual exploitation ‘getting worse’, AFP Deputy Commissioner Ian McCartney tells childcare inquiry

The scourge of online child sexual exploitation in Australia is getting worse, a federal deputy police commissioner has revealed amid growing concerns of vulnerabilities in the childcare system. The sector has come under enormous scrutiny in recent months, with calls for reforms intensifying in July when childcare worker Joshua Dale Brown was hit with more than 70 charges for allegedly abusing eight children at a Melbourne childcare centre. Wednesday’s Senate inquiry is investigating the quality and safety of Australia’s early childhood education and care system, and was called in response to concerns pedophiles were actively targeting childcare settings to commit crimes. Fronting the committee, AFP Deputy Commissioner Ian McCartney said the federal force often didn’t participate in these types of hearings, but said it would “always take the opportunity to provide community reassurance, education and deterrence when it comes to protecting vulnerable communities like youth and our children”. “The AFP is well aware of the concerns parents and caregivers hold for their children, especially given the recent online child expectation investigations and charges that have been led by police, both Commonwealth and state throughout this country. “Whilst this shows law enforcement is being effective, the prevalence and brazenness of alleged defendants is highlighting the significance of child exploitation.” Mr McCartney also acknowledged the AFP had charged several childcare workers or people who worked with children, with online exploitation offences, though he refrained from commenting on them in detail for legal reasons. “I’m going to be honest, chair and committee members, the crime of online child sexual exploitation is not getting better, it’s getting worse. “I do not share this to scare the public, although I consider it might shock some caregivers and parents, but I do to set the tone of our AFP Commissioner Krissy Barrett, who has articulated one of her priorities is to protect our youth and our future generations. “We know some of the conversation will be confronting, but we need to empower communities by providing information they need to know. “Because if it used to take a village to raise a child because of advances in technology, it now takes a country to keep them safe.” Last month, in her inaugural address to the National Press Club of Australia, Ms Barrett said the federal force had worked tirelessly to stop the ongoing victimisation of children in Australia. “We have provided information to education departments, state and territory police and Commonwealth agencies to help them also navigate this trend,” she said. Targeting “sadistic” online exploitation was a key priority for the force, she added. “I know it seems like a never-ending battle to keep our kids safe, but to parents and carers, please know you are not doing this by yourself, and there are some simple things you can do,” she said. “Let kids know they have the right to feel safe online, and if something feels uncomfortable, they can leave a chat at any time and tell a safe adult.”