ANGRY PARENTS WANT ANSWERS
PARENTS of children allegedly shown a nude image by a teacher’s aide are still yet to receive the answers they seek after weeks of criticising the Townsville school’s handling of the incident.
Education Minister Kate Jones has committed to calling the family of one of the children today but they say that call should have been made weeks ago.
A mother whose son was one of three Year 4 children allegedly shown a naked picture by the teacher’s aide at a Townsville primary school on October 19 said she had “called everyone” asking for answers as to why the accused was employed without a Blue Card, among other concerns.
“I’m furious, I’m frustrated, I’m stressed,” she said.
“I want to find out why ( the principal) didn’t ring police straight away, why didn’t they inform us parents straight away? Why was the teacher’s aide still at school after the incident and why weren’t we offered counselling straight away?”
The mother said she had spoken with the principal who told her the accused was “watched by two teachers” between 1pm, when the kids reported the alleged incident, and the time school ended.
Carol Ronken, a criminologist with Bravehearts, a foundation aiming to prevent child sexual assaults, said she understood the parent’s frustrations.
“The ( alleged) offender should have been removed from the school immediately and the police called,” Ms Ronken said.
“Parents and the school community should be notified to protect other children and to help allay any fears that parents may have.”
Ms Ronken questioned what kind of checks the school had in place to protect students.
“Schools have a significant responsibility to provide a safe and nurturing environment for students in their care,” she said.
The mother was disappointed the Minister had not spoken with her already.
“She should have rung us after the first statement she wrote about this weeks ago,” she said.