Arabic version: الشرطة الفيدرالية الأسترالية تحدد ضحايا في جنوب أستراليا في تحقيق إساءة في رعاية الأطفال
Federal police have identified a small number of alleged victims in South Australia as part of a wide-ranging investigation into a Sydney childcare worker now facing hundreds of charges.
According to ABC News, the Australian Federal Police (AFP) said “a couple” of the alleged victims are linked to a remote Indigenous school in South Australia and that enquiries remain ongoing.
The AFP has charged Hamish Tait with 329 offences related to the alleged abuse of more than 130 children over a 16-year period from 2009 to 2025. The force released a list of 55 locations where Tait worked between 2009 and 2025; most sites were in Sydney but the list included a site in a remote Indigenous community in South Australia. Detective Acting Inspector Emmanuel Tsardoulias confirmed investigators have identified victims in the state and that work continues.
Charges detailed by police include 162 counts of producing child abuse material, 81 counts of filming a person engaged in a private act without consent and 24 counts of using a child under 14 years for the production of child abuse material. The AFP has also released seven images of clothing to assist with identifying 16 unknown victims. The matter remains before the courts.
South Australia Education Minister Lucy Hood described the allegations as “horrific” and said the Department for Education and the state government are working closely with the AFP and SAPOL. She said there are “potential victims” in South Australia and that authorities are examining how long Mr Tait may have worked at the school in a voluntary capacity. Ms Hood said the department will offer assistance so that justice can be served.
This story matters because the alleged offending spans many years, involves more than 130 children and includes at least some victims linked to a remote Indigenous school in South Australia, prompting coordinated responses from federal and state authorities. What happens next: police are continuing identification efforts and have released images of clothing to help locate further victims.
Related sections: Australia/استراليا | Victoria | South Australia | General | Social/إجتماعية
