21-year-old Affinity Education childcare worker charged with indecent treatment of child in Brisbane

Queensland police have charged a 21-year-old man with indecent treatment of a child at a Brisbane childcare centre where he worked. It's alleged the offence involved a four-year-child and took place on July 10 at an Affinity Education Centre. The Cleveland man has been charged with one count of indecent treatment of a child. He has been given conditional bail and is expected to appear in Brisbane Magistrates Court next month. Investigations are ongoing.

In a statement, a spokesperson for Affinity Education Group said the matter was being taken \"seriously\". They said the matter had been immediately referred to police and the man had been stood down. \"As this is an active investigation, communications with parents regarding this matter is being managed by Queensland police,\" they said. \"We are supporting all families in any way we can, including offering counselling support services.\"

The 21-year-old is understood to have had a current and valid Working With Children Check.

The allegations come as there is a renewed focus on childcare centres following charges against former worker Joshua Dale Brown in unrelated proceedings in Victoria. He's been charged with more than 70 child sex abuse offences in Melbourne. Mr Brown's alleged offending prompted calls from authorities for 2,000 children in Victoria to be tested for sexually transmitted diseases as a precautionary measure. Detectives believe he worked at a total of 23 childcare centres over more than eight years.

In Queensland, the Child Death Review Board is currently reviewing system-wide responses to child sexual abuse in Queensland. The review is looking at referee checks, police responses and screening of workers -- among other topics. The CDRB's final report is expected to be delivered this year.

According to the source: Australian Broadcasting Corporation.