A West Australian man honoured with a prestigious award for excellence in child protection has been charged with raping a teenage boy.

Barry Wayne Lawrence, 39, is accused of sexually abusing the boy in April 2012 while he was working for the Department of Communities — the government agency tasked with looking after vulnerable children.

Detectives have charged Mr Lawrence with eight offences, including four counts of sexually penetrating a child between the age of 13 and 16.

Barry Lawrence in a suit jacket participating in an interview.

Barry Wayne Lawrence allegedly raped a boy while he was employed by the Department of Communities.

Mr Lawrence, who lives in the Mandurah suburb of Coodanup, was in his mid-twenties at the time of the alleged offences.

He is set to appear in court next week to face the charges. 

Awarded for excellence

In September 2024, WA’s then-minister for child protection Sabine Winton honoured Mr Lawrence at the state’s inaugural Child Protection Excellence Awards.

A man pictured posing for a photo at an awards ceremony

Mr Lawrence pictured at an awards ceremony in September 2024 when he was recognised for his child protection work. (Supplied: WA Government)

He was given a partnership award as an Aboriginal practice leader in Bindjareb Boodja (Mandurah).

Support services:

Mr Lawrence was also chair of the City of Mandurah’s NAIDOC Committee and ran football programs for local Indigenous youth.

His LinkedIn account states he had worked as a youth and family support worker since 2010.

The ABC has also found recent references by a local health service promoting a camp and youth drop in program involving Mr Lawrence in the Mandurah and Peel district.

Barry Lawrence and Tony Buti pose for a photo in front of some Aboriginal art.

Mr Lawrence (left) pictured with the then-Aboriginal Affairs Minister Tony Buti. (Supplied)