The operator of several childcare centres where accused child sexual abuser Joshua Dale Brown worked says it will roll out CCTV in all its locations.
G8 Education’s stock has tanked and dozens of parents are said to be considering legal action since the 26-year-old’s 70 charges relating to eight alleged victims in a Melbourne childcare centre were made public.
The allegations have also kicked off a state inquiry and a string of conversations about what can be done nationally to make the fast-growing sector safer.
In an announcement released to the ASX yesterday evening, G8 managing director and chief executive Pejman Okhovat said the company would “accelerate the rollout of CCTV to all our centres”, following a trial in several locations.
The company also threw its weight behind calls for national registries for anyone working with vulnerable people, teachers and early childcare workers’ employment history, along with national consistency for regulations over the sector.
He said G8 was “horrified and appalled” by the allegations, adding that he had met with some families in Victoria and the company would continue to work with police, the state government and other authorities.
“These allegations are deeply disturbing, and our hearts go out to the children and families involved,” he said, in a statement.
“I am deeply sorry for the unimaginable pain caused to our families and what they are going through.
“Our primary focus right now is on supporting all families who are impacted, as well as our team members in Victoria.”
G8 Education was trading at 0.94¢ when markets closed yesterday, down 20 per cent from before Brown was charged.
Law firm Arnold Thomas & Becker says the parent of one of the allegedly abused children is suing the national childcare giant for damages and more than 100 others have contacted the firm for legal advice.
Brown’s charges relate to offences police allege occurred at Creative Gardens Early Learning – run by G8 – in Point Cook between April 2022 and January 2023.
Police continue to investigate Brown’s conduct at 19 other childcare centres he worked at between 2017 and 2025.
He was remanded in custody to appear at Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on September 15.
Brown was yet to indicate how he intended to plead to the charges.
