Warning: This story contains details of alleged child sex abuse that may distress some readers.
It’s often said that when you become a mother, you become a mother to all the world’s children. It’s a sentiment that describes the shared grief and heartbreak we experience when we see or read about the pain of other mothers and children, whether we know them personally or not. So when we hear the news of the abuse of babies and small children, in childcare, many of us experience intense feelings, including grief, anger, and fear.
This is certainly the case this week, with news that thousands children are being asked to undergo health screening after police charged a childcare worker with more than 70 offences allegedly linked to a childcare centre in Melbourne’s south-west.
There will be a lot written about the case in the coming months, and we don’t want to add to the trauma by recounting specific details, but we do want to remind our supporters of two important things.
1: It’s okay to reach out for support
You don’t need to have a child in childcare to have been impacted by the news. If details of this case or other current affairs in the news is causing you distress or anxiety, speaking to a professional can help. General support lines include:
Special support services include:
- Rainbow Door is specialist LGBTIQA+ helpline. Call 1800 729 367 between 10am – 5pm, 7 days a week.
- 13YARN is an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander crisis support line offering confidential yarning with a Lifeline-trained Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander counsellor. Phone 139 276, 7 days, 24 hours.
- Sexual Assault Crisis Line (1800 806 292) is a state-wide (Victoria), after-hours, confidential telephone service for people who have experienced both past and recent sexual assault and need an immediate crisis response. SACL operates between 5pm – 9am on weeknights and throughout weekends and public holidays.
2: Your gut will serve you well
Any allegation of abuse in childcare can be particularly worrying for mothers with kids in childcare. Some mothers fear that they don’t know the signs to look for or know how to keep their children safe. One thing we know to be true is this: if your instincts are telling you something isn’t right with your child, pay attention. Listen to your child as they recount their experiences and feelings. Kids, like adults, sometimes have bad days, but if they are unhappy, fearful or anxious, find out why. If their behaviour seems out of character, find out why. Don’t discount your suspicions or try to explain them away. Hopefully they will turn out to be simply fears, but paying attention to your gut is important.
How to speak to children about child abuse in the news
If your children have heard the news about the alleged child abuse case in Melbourne, they may be scared or confused or have questions. The Victorian government has published resources, available in multiple languages, that can help guide conversations you can have with them: Having conversations with children and young people about sexual abuse – preschool-age children
It’s important to remember that while news about child abuse and negligence are disturbing, the vast majority of childcare centres in Australia are safe and fun places for kids to learn and grow. Knowledge is the key to finding the best childcare centre for your child, so always ask questions and always raise concerns when you have them.
