An investigation is underway into the alleged abuse committed by David Neil Tuck around Batemans Bay. Photo: FatCamera.
CONTENT WARNING: This article refers to child abuse and suicide.
For years, parents trusted David Neil Tuck to care for their children while he ran a family day care service on the NSW South Coast.
It is only now, decades later, that the extent of his horrific abuse has begun to be publicly revealed.
An investigation is currently underway into allegations that he sexually abused children under his care while he ran his family day care service around the Batemans Bay area.
Donaldson Law Senior Associate Kelsey Hyslop said her team represented survivors of Tuck’s abuse.
“We are unable at this time to provide exact numbers of our current clients, but we consider there could be up to or over 50 victims impacted whilst he ran the family day care services in the area,” she said.
Tuck was aged between about 32 and 37 when he provided family day care services in the Batemans Bay area from July 1994 to November 1999.
Eurobodalla Shire Council licensed him to provide these services.
In addition, he ran activities as part of or adjacent to the childcare services, including weekend and school holiday 4WD camps for children.
Ms Hyslop said her team understood Tuck worked as a nurse, in youth detention and with a not-for-profit youth organisation before starting his family day care service.
“Prior to and after him living and working in the Batemans Bay area, we understand that he may have also lived and worked in ACT (Queanbeyan) and NSW,” she said.
He took his own life in 2001.
As part of Donaldson Law’s investigation, they are calling for witnesses of the Family Day Care Scheme operated by the Eurobodalla Council between 1991 and 2001.
“We want to speak to anyone aware of the scheme itself (as a parent or carer), has knowledge of the day care services regime, worked at council at the time [or] had interactions with Tuck generally,” Ms Hyslop said.
She said Eurobodalla Council’s Family Day Care Scheme was a council‑sponsored, home‑based childcare program where children were cared for in the homes of registered carers rather than in a centre.
Council’s role included running the scheme’s structure around carers, rather than council itself providing day‑to‑day care in a single premises.
A spokesperson for Eurobodalla Council confirmed Tuck was registered with the council nearly 30 years ago in the Family Day Care Scheme and also ran a private childcare business.
“We acknowledge this has been a distressing situation for everyone impacted by the conduct and actions of Mr Tuck, and we empathise with those individuals and their families,” the council spokesperson said.
“Council has responded to all enquiries and requests for information from legal parties regarding Mr Tuck and will continue to do so.
“As this is an ongoing legal process concerning highly sensitive matters, it would not be appropriate to comment further.”
Region asked the council whether it had any records of reports made alleging misconduct by Tuck while he was licensed to provide family day care services around Batemans Bay, but the spokesperson did not reply to this question.
Council began providing family day care in 1990 and continues to provide it to this day. As part of its role, it assesses, supports and develops every educator in the network.
“Eurobodalla Family Day Care is an approved education and care service that focuses on each child’s unique development, while providing quality early learning in the educator’s own home or venue. Children aged 0-12 years can be accepted,” council states on its website.
“As the approved service provider, council assesses, supports, and develops every educator in the network. Your child’s safety, care and respect is paramount.”
The council spokesperson said its family day care was now a completely different and modern service compared to the 1990s.
“We operate under rigorous standards and requirements, and we are regularly audited and undertake accreditation processes, where child safety is at the centre of service delivery,” the spokesperson said.
If this story has raised any concerns for you, 1800RESPECT, the national 24-hour sexual assault, family and domestic violence counselling line, can be contacted on 1800 737 732. Help and support are also available through the Canberra Rape Crisis Centre on 02 6247 2525, the Domestic Violence Crisis Service ACT on 02 6280 0900, the Sexual Violence Legal Services on 6257 4377 and Lifeline on 13 11 14. In an emergency, call triple zero.
If you have been affected by sexual violence, or someone you know has, you can report it to police by attending a police station or phoning 131 444.
Original Article published by Albert McKnight on Region Canberra.
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