“Families and the [broader] community can be reassured that the infections that the children were potentially exposed to can be treated with antibiotics, and there’s no broader public health risk to the community,” McGrath said.
“A dedicated advice and support online has been set up to provide families with health and [screening] information, as well as linking them to specialist supports, including mental health and wellbeing services.”
Brown was not known to police before officers raided his home and later charged him, Victoria Police crime command Acting Commander Janet Stevenson told reporters on Tuesday.
He had a valid working with children check, which has since been cancelled. He was cooperative with police, and working as a childcare worker at the time of his arrest, Stevenson said.
Premier Jacinta Allan became emotional as she said she was “sickened” by the allegations of abuse.
“They are shocking and distressing, and my heart just breaks for the families who are living every parent’s worst nightmare,” Allan told reporters.
“As a parent too, I can only imagine the unbearable grief and pain the affected families are experiencing right now. Every health and mental health support will be provided to these families.”
Police were working with several government departments, along with the Royal Children’s Hospital, to support families whose children attended impacted centres.
Brown is alleged to have committed all his offending in Victoria, police said. There was no evidence to suggest any of his colleagues were involved.
“Last week, we notified eight families that we had charged Brown with sexually offending against their children. As you could imagine, this was deeply distressing for the families to hear,” Stevenson said.
Brown’s charges included sexually penetrating a child under 12 years of age, attempting to sexually penetrate a child under 12, sexually assaulting a child under 16, producing child abuse material and transmitting child abuse material, police said.
Brown was remanded in custody and is due to appear at the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on September 15.
The Victorian government has set up a dedicated website for families affected by the investigation. Police have urged anyone with more information to contact Crime Stoppers.
Support is available from the National Sexual Assault, Domestic Family Violence Counselling Service at 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732).
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