<div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>A class action lawsuit could be launched on behalf of families caught up in a horrific child sex abuse investigation that has rocked Melbourne.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span> Former childcare worker Joshua Brown, 26, is facing 70 charges for the alleged sexual abuse of eight victims aged between five months and two years old.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span> The charges relate to offences police allege occurred at Creative Gardens Early Learning in Point Cook between April 2022 and January 2023.</span></div></div><div><div id="adspot-mobile-medium"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/visas-australia-south-korean-family-in-melbourne-facing-deportation-over-document-error-plea-to-immigration-minister/fbe7e793-9a9f-4a63-a16a-ed0accae724e" rel="" target="_blank" title=""><strong><span>Melbourne family risk being deported to South Korea over 'misunderstanding'</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span> Police continue to investigate Brown's conduct at 19 other childcare centres he worked at between 2017 and 2025.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span> The investigation has prompted Victorian authorities to urge 1200 families to send their young children for precautionary STI testing.</span></div></div><div><div class="OUTBRAIN" data-reactroot="" data-src="//www.9news.com.au/national/class-action-into-alleged-childcare-sex-abuse-explored-as-families-seek-legal-advice/61b55f04-780e-458d-8a60-86d9483be34c" data-widget-id="AR_5"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span> A dozen families have already reached out for legal advice from Arnold, Thomas &amp; Becker lawyers, who said it has "not ruled out" the possibility of a class action.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span> "Given the number of childcare centres the alleged offender worked across, we will be exploring the potential for a class action," Arnold, Thomas &amp; Becker principal lawyer Jodie Harris said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span> "However, individual claims in this case may be more appropriate avenue for the families impacted – we will be exploring both options and will determine the most suitable approach".</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span> Police visit Papilio Early Learning in Essendon this week.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span> Harris said the firm was "investigating legal options" potentially available to dozens of families impacted by the allegations.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span> They could include individual claims for children who have suffered physical or psychological injury, as well as claims for parents who have suffered psychological harm, such as nervous shock, as a result of the allegations.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span> The firm urged impacted families to register with them for legal action, noting compensation "could be significant".</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span> The Victorian government has said impacted families will be eligible for $5000 grants.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span> Federal Education Minister Jason Clare was emotional today as he vowed to introduce legislation to better protect children at a national level.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span> "One of my best friend's daughters is caught up in this, two of her little girls, she's burning with rage as you would expect her to be," Clare shared.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/tax-return-2025-when-is-the-best-time-to-lodge-refund-explained/85b8c807-ea2a-4037-ac3a-c6dfdab2d381" rel="" target="_blank" title=""><strong><span>When is the best time to lodge your tax return? Three experts reveal the 'sweet spot'</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span> "If they're not meeting the sort of safety standards that we need and we demand as country, then we've got to cut off their funding.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span> "That's the big weapon that the Commonwealth Government has to wield here."</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span> From September 26, Victoria will become the first state in the country to ban the use of personal devices inside childcare centres and track the employment history of childcare workers.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span> Premier Jacinta Allan yesterday announced an urgent review into childcare safety, which would look at potentially establishing mandatory CCTV in centres across the state.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span> "I know Victorian parents are feeling angry and deeply distressed by these allegations, I feel that too," she said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span> "I won't wait, families cannot wait, more needs to happen now."</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span> Yesterday details emerged of a second man who has been charged with dozens of child sex abuse offences.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span> Michael Simon Wilson is facing 45 charges including rape, possessing child abuse material and bestiality.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span> The 36-year-old is not a childcare worker and his alleged abuse is separate to that of Brown, but the pair are known to each other.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span> The charges relate to an investigation into an incident in Hoppers Crossing on April 16 where a teenage boy was allegedly sexually assaulted.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span> Both Brown and Wilson have been remanded to appear at Melbourne Magistrates' Court on September 15. Neither have indicated how they intend to plead to the charges.</span></div></div>