In a powerful follow up to her Logie-winning investigation, Adele Ferguson returns to Four Corners with Hunting Ground, a searing exposé that reveals the true scale of abuse in Australia’s childcare sector.
Drawing on over a year of reporting and newly obtained data, Ferguson shows the crisis is far worse than previously known, and far from over.
Despite government promises of reform after the first Four Corners investigation, Ferguson uncovers almost 150 cases of alleged and convicted abusers who worked or are working in child care, enabled by systemic failures, weak oversight and a profit-driven industry.
The investigation reveals that abuse is not isolated, it is in fact endemic and urgently in need of national attention.
Using more than 200,000 pages of previously inaccessible documents, whistleblower testimony, police tipoffs and expert analysis, Hunting Ground exposes how predators exploit loopholes in a broken system. It lays bare how high staff turnover, poor training, and lax supervision have created a perfect storm for abuse and children are paying the price.
This is a story that can no longer be ignored.
Hunting Ground is a wake up call to parents, policymakers and the public: until we confront the deep-rooted failures within child care, predators will keep slipping through and finding ways to prey on our children.
If you or anyone you know needs help:
Lifeline: 13 11 14
Kids Helpline: 1800 55 1800
Bravehearts: 1800 272 831
Beyond Blue: 1300 224 636
Blue Knot Helpline: 1300 657 380
Australian Childhood Foundation: 1300 381 581
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