Australia’s most notorious child abuser Ashley Paul Griffith ‘should’ have been disrupted: report
A pedophile who committed more than 300 child abuse offences “could and should” have been detected and disrupted earlier, a sobering report has found.
Queensland’s Child Death Review Board report, focused on Ashley Paul Griffith, found “warning signs” about the child abuser were “never fully connected”.
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By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.In 2024, Griffith plead guilty to more than 300 charges of abuse committed in childcare centres in Brisbane and Italy over a nearly two-decade period.
He is appealing that sentence while he faces life behind bars with a non-parole period of 27 years.
Publicly released on Monday, the report found there were “missed opportunities” where Griffith’s abuse could have been stopped, including when children, parents and staff has “repeatedly raised legitimate concerns” and when he had been fired.
Griffith had been dismissed from jobs involving children on more than five occasions and had been the subject of police and early childhood regulatory investigations into his conduct, according to chief executive of the Queensland Family and Child Commission (QFCC) Luke Twyford, who led the review.
Mr Twyford found none of the allegations or investigations “made a difference”, as Griffiths was apprehended after he uploaded digital images of the abuse, rather than in response to the concerns of adults or children involved.
“This left children unprotected and families unsupported, effectively closing the door on concerns despite the potential for ongoing risks,” the report reads.
Griffiths was often “moved on” after reports were made against him, rather than those reports being addressed, communicated to future employers or even recorded.
The review found there is a “significant gap” between the criminal justice system and the child welfare system, with parents and employers left with no option but to rely on those for any action.
“This evidence made it clear that there is a clear gap when neither police nor the Department of Child Safety are involved,” the report reads.
“This vacuum leaves families and organisations without a protective mechanism and children at continued risk.
Queensland Premier David Crisafulli described the report as “harrowing and disturbing reading”.
“It is also a call to action ... and action is what we will be delivering,” he said.
“There is no greater priority than keeping kids safe.”
