JUST SO PROUD
THE mother of sexual abuse survivor Grace Tame says she is so proud of her daughter’s courage in telling her story of abuse.
Penny Plaschke has been by her daughter’s side throughout the nine-year ordeal, that included a legal battle to identify herself as a survivor due to a Tassie-only ban.
Ms Plaschke said: “Letting her speak has been healing and immensely valuable ... and acknowledges the power wer of her voice. Her insight and resilience make her a powerful resource for understanding how perpetrators operate.”
THE overwhelmingly positive reaction to her story has made the years of fighting against the law all worthwhile, says the face of the Let Her Speak campaign Grace Tame.
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 in Hobart.
For the past nine years Grace has been silenced by Tasmania’s laws, which prevent all sexual assault survivors from selfidentifying in the media.
After winning her right to be named in the Supreme Court, on Monday Grace became only the fourth survivor in the state to be able to speak using her real identity.
Her story has made a powerful impact and the Mercury has been inundated with letters of support.
Grace, now 24, said she had received smiles, hugs and salutes from friends and strangers alike in Hobart since her story broke.
“From family, friends, coworkers and strangers alike, the palpable support and surging compassion for this cause means more than I can possibly explain,” she said. “The best part of this high is that it is a shared high and getting to see other people smile and their warm embraces.
“I haven’t checked all my messages, but I’ve seen some and even just the first line of text which say ‘you’ve inspired me to tell my dad’ or ‘I’m coming forward with my story’. The domino effect of this so beautiful.”
Mum Penny Plaschke has been by Grace’s side through the nineyear ordeal and said yesterday she was so proud of her daughter.
“Her insight and resilience make her a powerful resource for understanding how perpetrators operate and greater awareness is desperately needed,” she said. “The massive amount of support in response to Grace’s story celebrates her right to speak and acknowledges the power of her voice.
“Letting her speak has been healing and immensely valuable. It’s beautiful to see how happy Grace is to see the community coming together on this.”
Grace says that she welcomes the news that the Government will work to reform the law this year.
“Mine is just one story in a slew of others still waiting to be heard.”