Safeguarding is everyone’s business - On Us: Australian Business Coalition for Safeguarding Children

What a recent US operation reminds businesses about child safety

A recent law enforcement operation in the United States provides a confronting reminder that child safeguarding is relevant to every business, not only organisations traditionally considered to work with children.

On 31 October 2026, CBS News reported that 281 people had been arrested following a seven-day human trafficking and child sexual abuse enforcement operation in Florida.

According to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office, 31 people involved in the operation allegedly travelled to meet someone they believed was a child for sexual activity.

Among the 281 people arrested were 13 employees of Disney World and four employees of Universal Studios.

Authorities also reported that one person arrested was a children’s sports coach and another Disney employee allegedly travelled to meet an undercover officer posing as a 13-year-old boy.

It is important to recognise that these are arrests and allegations, and individuals are entitled to due process.

However, the operation raises an important question for businesses everywhere: how confident are we that our safeguarding systems extend to the people we employ and the environments we create?

Child safeguarding extends beyond children's organisations

Child safeguarding has traditionally been associated with schools, childcare, sport and community organisations.

But children and young people interact with businesses every day.

They visit shopping centres, hotels, entertainment venues and restaurants. They travel on airlines and public transport. They use technology and social media platforms. Their families engage with banks, retailers and professional services.

Businesses also employ thousands of people who, through their work or their lives outside work, may have contact with children and young people.

Safeguarding therefore needs to be understood as part of responsible business practice.

It does not mean businesses are responsible for monitoring every aspect of an employee’s private life. It does mean organisations should understand their safeguarding risks, establish clear standards of behaviour and have systems capable of identifying, escalating and responding to concerns appropriately.

Questions every business should be asking

The On Us Coalition encourages organisations to consider:

Where do children interact with our business?

This might be direct, online or through physical environments, products, services, events, sponsorships or community activities.

Do we understand the safeguarding risks associated with our workforce?
Different positions create different levels of access, authority, trust and opportunity.

Are expectations clear?
Codes of conduct, professional boundaries and safeguarding policies should clearly articulate what safe behaviour looks like.

Can people recognise and report concerns?
Employees need the confidence and capability to recognise concerning behaviour and know what to do with that information.

Does our organisational culture support speaking up?
Policies alone will not protect children. People must feel able to raise concerns and trust that their organisation will respond.

Are we prepared to act?
Businesses need clear processes for managing allegations, working with authorities, supporting those affected and making decisions that prioritise safety.

It's on us, not them.

You can find the full CBS news article here https://www.cbsnews.com/news/disney-universal-employees-sex-trafficking-sting/