Grace Tame named 2021 Australian of the Year
Grace Tame, a survivor of child sexual abuse and an advocate for survivors’ rights, was named Australian of the Year on 25 January 2021.
When she was 15 and a student at St Michael’s Collegiate School in Hobart, Grace was groomed and sexually abused by a teacher at the school. He was later convicted and jailed.
The right to speak
For years after the case, Tasmanian law prevented Grace from publicly identifying herself as a survivor. Section 194K of Tasmania’s Evidence Act 2001 prohibited publishing information that identified a sexual assault complainant, even where the survivor wanted to speak.
In November 2018, journalist Nina Funnell launched the #LetHerSpeak campaign to challenge these laws. In August 2019, Grace won an order from the Supreme Court of Tasmania allowing her to tell her story under her own name. Tasmania has since changed the law, so survivors can choose to identify themselves.
Grace has gone on to advocate for survivors of institutional sexual abuse and of sexual assault more broadly. We congratulate her on her courage. Speaking out can be incredibly difficult, even decades after the abuse, and her determination has opened a path for many others.
What this means for survivors
Every survivor decides for themselves whether, when, and how to speak about what happened. Speaking publicly is never a requirement for seeking justice, and compensation claims are usually settled confidentially.
If you were abused as a child at a school or other institution, you may be able to claim compensation, even if it happened many years ago. In most cases there is now no time limit: every Australian state and territory, including Tasmania, has removed the time limit for civil claims arising from child sexual abuse. Individual circumstances still matter. See our guide to abuse claims for Ashley Youth Detention Centre in Tasmania, and to limitation periods for historical abuse claims.
A civil compensation claim is assessed on the actual harm the abuse has done to your life. The National Redress Scheme caps payments at $150,000, a figure rarely reached, and accepting a Scheme payment permanently extinguishes your right to a civil claim against the institution. Applications close on 30 June 2027, so get independent legal advice before you apply.
Speak to us confidentially
If you are thinking about taking the next step, our institutional child sexual abuse lawyers can talk you through your options, gently and at your own pace. A first conversation is free and confidential, and it does not commit you to anything. Call +612 9283 5599 or leave your details below, and a lawyer will be in touch.
Support is available. Adult survivors can contact the Blue Knot Foundation on 1300 657 380 or SAMSN (for male survivors), Lifeline on 13 11 14 (24 hours), or 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732. Children and young people can contact Kids Helpline on 1800 55 1800 (24 hours) or Bravehearts.
