A woman who pushed for legal changes so she could speak out about being a survivor of sexual abuse has been named Australian of the Year for her advocacy work on behalf of abuse survivors.
Grace Tame, 26, was presented with the award at a ceremony in Canberra.
Ms Tame became the first woman in Tasmania state to win the right to publicly name herself as a sexual abuse survivor, allowing her to speak about the abuse she went through as a 15-year-old at the hands of a maths teacher.
Congratulations to your 2021 Australian of the Year, Grace Tame! #ausoftheyear #reflectrespectcelebrate
Thanks to our Australian of the Year category partner, @auspost pic.twitter.com/OU6Wby8lKG— AusoftheYearAwards (@ausoftheyear) January 25, 2021
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Prior to her legal victory, Ms Tame was barred from speaking publicly about the crimes in which she was a victim, while her abuser – who was jailed – was legally able to tell his story. Such laws were often designed to protect victims of assault by keeping their identities secret but did not account for those who wanted to speak out.
Ms Tame said she was dedicating the award to all survivors of child sexual abuse.
“This is for us,” she said.
After advocacy from Ms Tame and Nina Funnell, who started the campaign #LetHerSpeak, Tasmania’s laws preventing survivors from speaking out were overturned.
Congratulations to Grace Tame, TAS 2021 Australian of the Year and now, the 2021 National Australian of the Year. Remarkable, inspirational, brave and beautiful women. #weareallpartofthestory #reflectrespectcelebrate#letherspeak pic.twitter.com/5TZTYdUjuI
Advertisement— Shane Fitzsimmons (@ShaneFitzAU) January 25, 2021
“I remember him towering over me, blocking the door. I remember him saying ‘don’t tell anybody’. I remember him saying ‘don’t make a sound,'” Ms Tame said.
“Well hear me now – using my voice against a growing chorus of voices that will not be silenced.”
Ms Tame said she wants a greater focus on education and prevention of child sexual assault. She said grooming and psychological manipulation by abusers is a big problem.
Ms Tame said: “They thrive when we fight amongst ourselves and weaponise all our vulnerabilities. This year and beyond, my focus is on empowering survivors and education as a primary means of prevention.”
Other top awards went to three other women.
The gang's all here! What a night to celebrate our amazing Aussies. We needed that! Thank you for tuning into our 61st Australia of the Year Awards. pic.twitter.com/6ZIU1fJLCP
— AusoftheYearAwards (@ausoftheyear) January 25, 2021
Aboriginal elder Miriam-Rose Ungunmerr-Baumann was named Senior Australian of the Year. The 73-year-old activist, educator and artist became Northern Territory state’s first qualified Aboriginal teacher in 1975.
Kenyan refugee Rosemary Kariuki was named Australia’s Local Hero for her work helping female migrants combat loneliness and the unknown as they settle into their new communities.
And the title of Young Australian of the Year went to Adelaide student and social entrepreneur Isobel Marshall, who co-founded a menstrual product company Taboo in high school, with the goal of reducing stigma around periods and helping women access products.
