When we share, we heal.
After being groomed and raped by her maths teacher when she was just 15 years old, Grace Tame has turned her traumatic experience into advocacy for survivors of child sexual abuse and has been a leader of positive change for over a decade.
Recognising the injustice of Tasmania’s gag order that prevented survivors from self-identifying publicly, Grace offered her story to the #LetHerSpeak campaign created by Nina Funnell, along with the stories of 16 other brave survivors. In 2019, she finally won a court order to speak our under her own name, making her the state’s first female child sexual abuse survivor to do so.
Now, Grace is dedicated to eradicating child sexual abuse in Australia, and supporting the survivors of child sexual abuse and is the CEO of The Grace Tame Foundation.
Her focus is around enabling survivors to tell their stories without shame, educating the public around the process and lasting effects of grooming and working with policy and decision-makers to ensure we have state, territory and federal legal systems that support survivors, not just perpetrators.
She is also a passionate yoga teacher, visual artist, and champion long-distance runner, having won the 2020 Ross Marathon in 2:59:31. She was diagnosed as autistic at age 20, and talks candidly about how this affects her life and work.
On 27 September 2022, she released her number 1 best-selling memoir The Ninth Life of a Diamond Miner, which was nominated for three Australian Book Industry Awards, including New Writer of the Year and Biography Book of the Year. She is a columnist for The Shot and co-hosts their weekly podcast with The Chaser's Charles Firth, Jo Dyer, and Dave Milner.
An open book about her experience, but even more passionate about preventing this from happening to other children, Grace speaks from the heart and will have her audience simultaneously inspired and in tears.
She is a regular keynote speaker, media guest and advocacy commentator.
Grace is the 2021 Australian of the Year.
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Sexual assault survivor and advocate Grace Tame named 2021 Australian of the Year
Grace Tame, a 26-year-old who helped lead the fight to overturn a law preventing sexual assault survivors from speaking out has been named Australian of the Year for 2021.Grace Tame on Empowering Survivors to Speak Out | Q+A
Australian of the Year Grace Tame speaks about the importance of survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault to empower each other.Abuse Survivor And Advocate Grace Tame Named 2021 Australian Of The Year | The Project
Grace Tame is a survivor, a fighter and a game-changer for others who, like her, have lived through unimaginable trauma. Last night she was also named Australian Of The Year for 2021, with an incredibly powerful speech.Grace Tame | National Press Club Address
Australian of the Year Grace Tame says survivors speaking out increases their power during her National Press Club address.Grace Tame | Time Magazine Next Generation Leaders
A Tasmanian law silenced survivors of sexual assault. Grace Tame refused to keep quiet.Grace Tame seeks consistent sexual abuse legislation nation-wide | ABC News
2021 Australian of the Year Grace Tame has addressed a meeting of attorneys-general this afternoon, calling for sexual abuse legislation to be consistent across states and territories. She says she left "heard and hopeful", and says there are "fantastic reforms" under way.Grace Tame's wild ride as Australian of the Year | Australian Story
When Grace Tame was named Australian of the Year she promised to make some noise and she hasn’t disappointed. The 26-year-old child abuse survivor has been one of the most outspoken recipients of the award in its 62-year history, unafraid to criticise the Morrison government and the Prime Minister himself about the treatment of women and children. In an intimate and revealing Australian Story, Grace Tame looks back over her tumultuous tenure as Australian of the Year and the difficult journey that led her there.‘Eat My Fear’: Grace Tame on survival, resilience and speaking out | One Plus One
Grace Tame is many things: an artist, a marathon runner, and a survivor. The 2021 Australian of the Year speaks to Kurt Fearnley about trauma, resilience, and raising awareness.Grace is such a powerful speaker, very down to earth and relatable. Her words were so meaningful and inspirational to many within our community. She is a true change maker! ... keep reading Univiersity of Queensland
Grace Tame is a speaker that needs to be heard. Her ability to connect with the audience, her openness, vulnerability and fierce passion to create a world that is safer is inspirational.While her keynote may challenge people it is a keynote that should be heard by as many people as possible. She is able to break down some very complex issues into language that allows further discussion and education. She would be an amazing speaker for your event.
Grace's presentation was unflinching and courageous. Her story had a powerful impact on our delegates. We will still be talking about her presentation for many years to come.
Grace engaged our audience with her vulnerability, her truth, humour and exceptional story telling. She has the ability to deal with confronting topics in a way that simultaneously had us laughing in stitches and shedding tears of empathy. She was warmly received with two standing ovations and we are so grateful for the way she uses her platform to raise awareness and to create systemic change in our community. Thank you Grace.
Grace Tame is an exceptional individual. Her intelligence, passion and drive for change oozes across. She also has a great sense of humour and delivers her powerful message effortlessly. Grace also engaged with us Territorians and we all felt she fits in well in this town - love to have you back!
Meaningful and intentional connection with our audience. Grace connected her work with their work, showed appreciation and value for what they do. Perfect scene setting.
Her honest, speaking her truth approach was greatly appreciated by the delegates. The standing ovation given to her at the conclusion of her presentation was a clear indication that Grace was easily the standout presenter of the conference.
