World reacts to Grace Tame’s sexual abuse ordeal and survival

Days after Grace Tame was finally able to go public with how she survived years of horrific sexual abuse, the world has reacted furiously.

Sexual assault survivors, celebrities and other Tasmanians have responded with an outpouring of support for Grace Tame following news.com.au’s publication of her horrific story of child sexual abuse.

In 2010, at age 15, Grace was groomed and repeatedly sexually assaulted by her high school maths teacher, Nicolaas Bester, while a student at St Michael’s Collegiate Girls’ school.

For the past nine years Grace has been silenced by Tasmania’s gag laws which prevent all sexual assault survivors from self-identifying in media.

RELATED: Grace Tame’s ‘repulsive’ schoolgirl sexual abuse ordeal revealed

After winning her right to be named in the Supreme Court, yesterday Grace became only the fourth survivor in the state to be able to speak out using her real identity.

“If telling my story can help even one boy or girl out there and prevent them from being abused then this fight has all been worth it” said Grace.

As part of the news.com.au campaign #LetHerSpeak, Grace is finally telling her story.

Tasmanian Grace Tame has won the right to release her name and speak about sexual abuse. Picture: Patrick Gee

Now other victims in Tasmania have also come forward supporting Grace, and pushing for the gag-law to be removed.

One of those is Leia*.

In 1993, Leia was abducted, held at knifepoint, bashed and gang raped in a field in Burnie on Tasmania’s north west coast. It was Christmas Eve and Leia was just 16 years old.

After the rapes ended she was told to dig her own grave.

She eventually escaped after the vehicle they were travelling in had a collision and rolled.

The men responsible were later prosecuted and after the ringleader, Geoffrey Michael Haywood, passed away in 2017, aged 51, Leia made the decision to speak out publicly as she no longer feared repercussions.

But due to Tasmania’s archaic gag laws, she has been unable to.

Leia* is currently attempting to gain a court order but so far has been unable to raise the legal funds. It cost Grace approximately $10,000.

“I’m so happy for Grace that she can now use her identity because I know she wanted to,” says Leia.

“But I’m sad she had to go through the court process because it was such a long process and I’m frustrated that now I have to do the same thing. I feel that law reform is moving slowly.”

Steve Fisher, CEO of Beyond Abuse, was the first of only four survivors to ever be granted a court order in Tasmania allowing him to speak.

“It was absolutely crucial for my healing process to get that court order. The thought that I would not be able to speak out under my own name after my perpetrator was sentenced actually made me feel physically ill and it brought back so many memories of feeling so disempowered.”

Steve says that Grace’s voice will encourage other victims to come forward and seek support.

“Showing her face humanises her whole story. Survivors can educate the public through their own stories, if they are strong enough to tell them, they can help demystify the stages of grooming and the nature of abuse. Sexual abuse is a huge problem and these voices break the silence.”

Former Hey Dad! child star and sexual abuse survivor, Sarah Monahan has also expressed support saying, “This is fabulous. Everyone deserves to be heard.”

Author, model and activist Tara Moss has also posted saying, “Thank you for your voice and determination, Grace. And thank you to every other survivor who lent their voice to the #LetHerSpeak campaign, in solidarity with Grace and those who still cannot speak because of antiquated and misguided laws.”

Sarah Monahan threw her support behind Grace. Picture: Christian Gilles

One of those survivors who still cannot speak is Leia*.

News.com.au has also been inundated with letters of support.

“As a teacher and a father I found the events described in your article to be beyond abhorrent, but at the same time I was profoundly affected by the strength and fortitude of Ms Tame. She is a hero to women, and to all oppressed people,” one reader said.

“Anger doesn’t begin to describe my feelings for how that man who abused her was dealt with and his pathetic punishment. No words can adequately describe it. However I wanted to thank Grace for her bravery and courage in speaking out,” wrote another.

Grace and her family say they have been blown away by the support.

If you or someone you know has been impacted by sexual assault support is available by calling 1800 RESPECT on 1800 737 732.

Nina Funnell is a Walkley Award winning journalist and a director of End Rape On Campus Australia. She is the creator of the #LetHerSpeak campaign.

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