New Liberal MP Paula Luethen tells Parliament about sexual abuse she suffered as a child

NEW Liberal MP Paula Luethen has given an intensely personal maiden speech in Parliament about sexual abuse she suffered as a child.

New Liberal MP Paula Luethen has given an intensely personal maiden speech in Parliament about sexual abuse she endured as a child. Picture. Noelle Bobrige

NEW Liberal MP Paula Luethen has given an intensely personal maiden speech in Parliament about sexual abuse she endured as a child.

Ms Luethen was elected to the northern suburbs seat of King at the March election.

Yesterday, she described how her harrowing childhood shaped her desire to enter Parliament and stamp out child abuse and family violence.

“There was violence in our home,” she revealed.

“I have vivid memories of hugging my little brother in the bathroom as my parents fought. My memories include relatives drinking too much and fighting.

“I remember having to run next door to get our neighbours to stop violence in our home, and I remember being sexually abused as a small girl by a close relative.”

Ms Luethen explained that, as a “little girl” she “didn’t know that it was inappropriate for a family member to touch my private parts”.

“I didn’t have the knowledge or the language or the opportunity to speak up. Today I’m speaking up for all children in our community who are victims of abuse.”

Ms Luethen said she had repressed her experiences which began resurfacing in her 40s, prompting her to seek counselling.

She described “working so hard that I had little time to feel and think about what could be troubling me inside”.

“In my mid 40s I said ‘Me Too’,” she said referring to the global movement to speak out.

“This Parliament can ... take us to a time when nobody must say Me Too,” she said.