In recent weeks the Australian media has reported horrifying allegations of cruelty and sexual abuse at child care centres across the country.

 Right now, over one million Australian families have one or more children attending a registered childcare service.

And alarmingly, every day there is at least one report of sexual misconduct coming out of a child care facility in this country. 

The children who are impacted are far too young to speak. As adults, we must use our voices to demand their safety.

That’s why we are urgently calling for the Federal Government to immediately address the national crisis in Australia’s early child care industry by stamping down on sexual abuse. 

WHAT OUR PETITION IS CALLING FOR:

1. Overhaul Working With Children Check schemes including:

• National harmonisation of legislation between jurisdictions so there are consistent standards across all states and territories;
• Establish a centralised WWCC database to facilitate cross-border information sharing;
• Tighter, more frequent monitoring of WWCC holders, who are subject to complaints including implementation of a 'one strike rule';
• Mandatory training to become a compulsory component of passing any WWCC or Working With Vulnerable People Check;
• The Government must provide $2million in seed funding to an appropriate body to develop that training.

2. Implement all existing recommendations from previous inquiries into institutional sexual abuse from the past decade. 

3. Commission a national inquiry into sexual abuse and maltreatment of children in early childcare services. 

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LJ & HAILEY'S STORY:

 “We were sexually abused in a licensed family daycare centre in Batemans Bay, NSW. Our abuser, David Tuck, already had ten child sexual assault charges when he passed his police record check and was licensed by the local council to run the Bluemoor childcare service we attended.

"As children we were defenceless. We did not have the language and we were too young to understand - let alone speak out about - the sexual abuse we were experiencing in childcare. 

"Now we are raising our voices for all those children who can’t.  We were not safe. But we hope that your children will be. 

"Australia, please sign this urgent petition.  All children deserve safety. The time for action is now.”

-Hailey and LJ, survivors of David Tuck and Bluemoor Child Care service 

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WHY OUR PETITION MATTERS:

Right now, there are over 5.8Million holders of a Working With Children Check (WWCC) in Australia. These WWCC’s are meant to protect kids by ensuring adults working with them are cleared for suitability. But there are many problems including: 

• Lack of National Consistency:
  Each state and territory has an entirely different WWCC scheme with its own legislation, operational systems, eligibility criteria, and administrative processes. This creates inconsistencies, confusion and loopholes which offenders exploit.
• Limited Information Sharing:
  Information-sharing between the various states and territories is poor, especially regarding changes to a person’s criminal history. Offenders moving between states can easily evade detection.
• No Interim Monitoring:
  Once a WWCC is issued, it is valid for five years with no ongoing monitoring for new offenses or complaints that may arise.
• High Threshold for Action:
  Complaints may not be enough to trigger a bar, especially if they don't reach the level of formal charges, potentially leaving individuals with concerning histories in positions of trust. 
• False Sense of Security: WWCC’s are easier to obtain than a car licence, RSA licence, or food handling certificate. They require no training, no test, and clearance rates are high. This can create a false sense of security for parents and communities. 

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Given these problems it’s essential we act now.

SIGN THE PETITION HERE