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PARENTS called for Scott Thompson's childcare centres to be swept for cameras as news of the allegations against him sank in yesterday. Steve Gerlach, who has two children at Mr Thompson's Croydon centre, said he was concerned about recent renovations to the building. "I'm a bit concerned to take the Kids back there until I get the OK that the place is clean," he said. "I'm just looking for police to say they have done a search and there is no recording equipment in the walls or anywhere." Another parent, Nick Vanzeyl, said police needed to reassure the families involved their children hadn't been abused. "Police have a million or so photos to go through, how are they going to cross-reference them to check to ensure our kids aren't on the net?" he said. "They haven't found any yet, but how would they know? Because the police don't have images of our kids." Police said they were aware of the concerns. Sergeant David Spencer said the buildings would be searched while they were continuing to process evidence in the case. Mr Vanzeyl, with three children at the Lysterfield centre, said the allegations against Mr Thompson were disgusting. He recalled the centre owner had been present at Christmas parties and children's birthdays. "You start thinking about the lads' Christmas parties and birthday parties and he's sort of been semi-involved with that and it taints the memories," he said. His three children had been cared for at Thompson's Lysterfield centre but yesterday was to be their last day. Others voiced support for staff, many of whom were in tears as they met parents yesterday. "It's devastating," one said. Sue Hansford, who has two children at the Ivanhoe centre, said she had absolute faith in the workers and the allegations didn't reflect on them. The carers here are just unbelieveably good," she said. The playgrounds at the centre were empty yesterday. Inside, Department of Human Services met parents to offer them counselling and reassure them of their childrens safety. Parents said Mr Thompson had taught Indonesian to the children once a week, while one said he had worked in the kitchen at the Ivanhoe centre when the chef was ill. Suzanne said she was confident her 4yr old boy had always been safe there, as she was assured Mr Thompson had never been left with the children. But she said it was hard to know what to tell her son. "I haven't been able to say to my little boy what is going on. "I mean, how do you explain it to a child. It's horrible, it's really hard." AAP (2-10-2004) Ben Packham/ Jacqueline Freegard |
2005. All Rights Reserved.
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