Sarah Kopp: Hundreds share school grooming stories after court case

A Qld teacher’s “immense bravery” in speaking out about surviving grooming by her own teacher as a teen is stepping up her fight to protect students after her story caused hundreds of victims to reach out.

Grooming survivor Sarah Kopp is continuing her push for better training for Queensland’s teachers after her brave decision to speak out let her inundated with similar stories from victims across the state and country.

In a letter to Queensland Education Minister John-Paul Langbroek seeking a meeting over her push for better training on identifying early signs of grooming in the state’s education sector, Ms Kopp said only one offender was all it took to wreak enormous harm.

“The reality is that a single perpetrator within the education system can leave a lasting impact across countless young lives,” Ms Kopp said in her letter.

“My story offers a valuable road map into how we can strengthen safety frameworks in schools- identifying vulnerabilities, closing policy and procedural gaps, and embedding protective measures that ensure the wellbeing of every student.”

Ms Kopp came forward after her abuser, Paul Edward Grealy, was found guilty in May 2024 of five counts of indecent treatment of a child, and one count of maintaining an unlawful relationship with a child.

Grealy was Ms Kopp’s physical education teacher at Urangan State High School in 2000, when she was in Year 10.

Sarah Kopp came forward after her abuser, Paul Edward Grealy, was found guilty in May 2024 of five counts of indecent treatment of a child, and one count of maintaining an unlawful relationship with a child. They met when he started as her physical education teacher in 2000, when Ms Kopp was in Year 10.

He was jailed for 15 months after she went to police in adulthood - after the pair had married and had children.

Ms Kopp said her “decision to forgo victim anonymity through the Queensland courts was driven by a commitment to breaking the silence surrounding this issue- to help others recognise the often-missed red flags and to drive much-needed reform in our education system”.

“As a result, hundreds of women have reached out to me sharing near-identical stories of grooming at the hands of teachers or those in special care roles, both historically and more recent cases,” Ms Kopp said.

In response to Ms Kopp’s story being published in October Mr Langbroek asked the education department to review the current training on offer, which Ms Kopp – now a teacher herself – said was “inadequate”.

On Thursday Mr Langbroek said Ms Kopp was “a strong advocate who has shown immense bravery over the past two decades”.

“We are both passionate about making our schools safer and I look forward to meeting with her to discuss her experiences and how we can better protect students,” he said.

Ms Kopp said in her letter she was “encouraged” by Mr Langbroek’s comments when he called for the review.

“Grooming is an insidious and distinct form of abuse,” Ms Kopp said.

In response to Sarah Kopp’s story being published in October, Education Minister John-Paul Langbroek asked the education department to review the current training on offer, which Ms Kopp – now a teacher herself – said was “inadequate”. Picture: NewsWire / John Gass

“It is subtle, relational, and often manipulates not only the child but also those in their orbit- teachers, caregivers, and peers.

“Research continues to show that perpetrators frequently hold positions of trust, particularly in education.

“The frequency of recent cases underscores the urgent need for proactive, evidence-based education across Queensland schools.

“I have first-hand experience in identifying the current policy, and training provided through Education Queensland are simply inefficient.”

Ms Kopp said since coming forward she had been met with “a reluctance” in some corners “to engage publicly with an issue that urgently needs open discussion”.

“Grooming thrives in silence- and silence, particularly from our education institutions, only allows it to continue,” she said.

“By equipping students and educators with the knowledge and language to recognise grooming early, we can intervene before harm occurs and protect future generations.

“As research and my own experience showcase, grooming does not end when school does- its impacts often persist well into adulthood.

Sarah Kopp said since coming forward as a victim she had been met with “a reluctance” in some corners of the education sector “to engage publicly with an issue that urgently needs open discussion”.

“These perpetrators, positioned in special care roles, have the ability to ensnare young lives for decades.

“In recent months, I have collaborated with other survivors, Queensland-based academics, and specialist organisations who are working to embed survivor-led education and awareness initiatives.

“Together, we are identifying key gaps in the current system and developing practical recommendations to strengthen Queensland’s approach.”

She said she looked forward to an opportunity to speak with Mr Langbroek to discuss what her work with those researchers had found, share her experience and find ways for “enhancing protective education within Queensland schools”.

“My intention is to contribute constructively- bringing together lived experience, professional insight, and educational expertise to strengthen our collective response and keep our children safer,” Ms Kopp said.

“I would also welcome the opportunity to bring together a roundtable of these experts to meet with (Mr Langbroek’s) department to workshop better ways forward.”