Victoria's Childcare Crisis: Health Fears Amid Abuse Scandal

Australian health authorities are urging approximately 1,200 children in Victoria to undergo tests for infectious diseases following the arrest of a childcare worker for numerous sexual abuse offences.

Joshua Brown, a 26-year-old from Melbourne, was arrested in May and faces over 70 charges linked to eight alleged victims, aged between five months and two years, who attended a childcare centre between April 2022 and January 2023.

Victoria's chief health officer, Christian McGrath, announced that 2,600 families had been contacted, recommending testing for 1,200 children. Although considered low risk, the testing offers parental assurance, especially since the investigation, prompted by discovered child abuse material, revealed Brown had previously worked at 20 childcare centres.

(With inputs from agencies.)