Grooming survivor Sarah Kopp secures roundtable to reform teacher training

Queensland has announced a roundtable on teacher training after grooming survivor Sarah Kopp’s campaign exposed gaps in how educators identify predatory behaviour in schools.

Grooming survivors, researchers, and experts will have their say on how Queensland teachers are trained to identifying the early signs of grooming behaviour with a roundtable in the works following a campaign from survivor and teacher Sarah Kopp.

Ms Kopp, who became a grooming victim of her physical education teacher when she was just 15 and in Year 10 at Urangan State High School in Hervey Bay, has called for teacher to be given better training and tools to help identify signs of the offending behaviour early.

Her groomer, Paul Edward Grealy, was found guilty of five counts of indecent treatment of a child and one of maintaining a relationship with a child, and sentenced to 18 months’ jail.

On Wednesday, December 3, Ms Kopp and members of her foundation Step in For Kids met with Education Minister John Paul Langbroek in Brisbane to discuss her criticisms of the existing training offered across the state, which she said fell far short of what was needed.

Mr Langbroek had previously announced an “urgent” review of the training program following the campaign by Ms Kopp and The Courier Mail and its Wide Bay Burnett mastheads including The Fraser Coast Chronicle and The Gympie Times.

Sarah Kopp, who became a grooming victim of her physical education teacher (Paul Edward Grealy, inset) at age 15 while she was in Year 10 at Urangan State High School in Hervey Bay, has called for teacher to be given better training and tools to help identify signs of the offending behaviour early.

Mr Langbroek said last Thursday, December 4, the Education Department was “now progressing the roundtable to bring together Sarah and her team, government representatives, academics, organisation leaders, and other survivors”.

“Sarah has bravely shared her story to raise awareness of the devastating impacts of grooming and child sexual assault,” Mr Langbroek said.

“We all want the best outcome for our children whether they’re at schools, childcare centres, or community and sports clubs.

“There are ways that we can work together to improve current training and processes, and that’s something I unequivocally support.”

Ms Kopp said the meeting was a “significant step forward”.

“We welcome the minister’s in-principle support for a Queensland roundtable, bringing together academics, frontline organisations and survivors to help shape a stronger, safer approach to grooming awareness and prevention,” she said.

“A heartfelt thank you to everyone who has written letters of support and shared their experiences — your voices are driving this change.

“And thank you to our dedicated board members for attending today and helping progress this vital conversation.”

Ms Kopp’s push for change has been backed by academics and experts on the matter, with one calling it a “national blind spot”.

Her story has inspired others to speak up about their own shocking experiences in schools across the nation.

Originally published as Grooming survivor Sarah Kopp secures roundtable to reform teacher training