At the Perth Royal Show, a convicted child sex offender was found working at an exhibit involving children, sparking concerns over the lack of mandatory Working with Children Checks (WWCs) for commercial stallholders. Despite the offender's criminal history, he was able to operate at the event, highlighting significant gaps in safety protocols. The incident has prompted calls for tighter regulations and thorough checks for anyone working in environments with children, as existing policies only required volunteers to have WWCs, not commercial vendors. A former detective with the WA Police child sex abuse squad who now runs a talent agency that has previously worked with the Perth Royal Show, says she was not invited back after she raised her concerns around child safety and working with children check requirements.
This situation underscores the urgent need for organisations to implement strict and well-defined safety checks to prevent such lapses. While these organisational measures are essential, teaching children about Body Safety is equally crucial. Empowering kids to understand body boundaries, consent, and how to recognize unsafe situations is one of the most effective ways to protect children from harm.
