A former Department of Communities employee has been hit with a further five child sex offences.
Mandurah man, Barry Wayne Lawrence — who was awarded for excellence in child protection in 2024 — now faces a total of 17 charges relating to the sexual abuse of children.
The 39-year-old was initially charged in August 2025 with indecently dealing with a child over 16 under their authority, intent to expose a person under 16 years to indecent matter and indecently dealing with a child over 13 and under 16.
The charges relate to the alleged sexual abuse of a male teenager between 2022 and 2025.
In March 2026, Mandurah Detectives laid a further eight charges against Lawrence.
These included four counts of sexual penetration of a child over 13 and under 16 and persistent sexual conduct with a child under 16.
Those charges relate to the alleged sexual abuse of a male teenager between April 1 and April 30, 2012.
On Wednesday, May 6, Mandurah Detectives charged Lawrence with five more child sexual related offences including three counts of indecently dealing with a child over 13 and under 16 and to counts of procuring a child over 13 and under 16 to do an indecent act.
Those charges relate to the alleged sexual abuse of two male teenagers between February and December 2013.
Each offence allegedly occurred while Lawrence was employed by the Department of Communities — the government agency tasked with looking after vulnerable children.
He is next due to appear before the Mandurah Magistrates Court on May 8, 2026.
"The Western Australia Police Force remains committed to protecting vulnerable children, supporting victims, and ensuring those who commit these offences are brought before the courts," a WA Police spokesperson said.
If you are a victim-survivor of sexual abuse, or have information about someone being harmed, please contact police on 131 444 or report information anonymously via the Safe2Say online reporting platform at wa-police-force-sex-crime.safe2say.com.au/report
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