Who is Grace Tame? She is an Australian survivor, activist, author, and former Australian of the Year who transformed her personal trauma into a nationwide movement for justice. Grace Tame is widely recognized for her fearless advocacy against child sexual abuse and for helping dismantle laws that silenced survivors.

Named Australian of the Year in 2021, Tame became a powerful voice for reform, challenging institutions, outdated laws, and societal attitudes that protected perpetrators rather than victims. Her story is one of resilience, courage, and systemic change.

1. Early Life of Grace Tame: A Childhood Marked by Silence

Grace Tame was born in 1994 in Hobart, Tasmania. Her early life took a devastating turn when, at just 15 years old, she was groomed and sexually abused by her 58-year-old high school mathematics teacher.

Although the perpetrator was later convicted, Grace was legally prevented from publicly identifying herself as the victim. At the time, Tasmanian law enforced strict anonymity for survivors of sexual assault—effectively silencing them.

2. Tasmania’s “Gag Laws” and Their Impact on Survivors

Under Section 194K of Tasmania’s Evidence Act, survivors of sexual assault were banned from speaking publicly about their experiences using their own names. These laws—commonly known as “gag laws”—allowed perpetrators and media outlets to discuss cases freely, while survivors remained anonymous.

Grace Tame described these laws as a second form of abuse, one enforced by the state itself, denying survivors ownership of their stories and identities.

Breaking the Silence: The #LetHerSpeak Campaign

A defining moment in understanding who Grace Tame is came through her role in the #LetHerSpeak campaign, launched alongside investigative journalist Nina Funnell.

After a lengthy legal battle, in 2019, Grace Tame became the first woman in Tasmania to be granted an exemption from the gag laws. This historic decision allowed her to publicly name herself and share her story.

Her victory triggered:

• The abolition of gag laws in Tasmania
• Nationwide discussions on survivor rights
• Legislative reviews across other Australian states

Grace Tame’s courage reshaped how Australia treats survivors of sexual abuse.

3. Grace Tame as Australian of the Year 2021

In 2021, Grace Tame was named Australian of the Year, marking a major shift in national awareness around sexual abuse and survivor advocacy.

She used her platform to demand systemic accountability, not sympathy calling for action rather than silence.

4. Key Areas of Grace Tame’s Advocacy

During and after her tenure, Grace Tame focused on major reforms, including:

1. Consent Law Reform

Advocating for nationally consistent age-of-consent laws across Australia.

2. Grooming Awareness

Educating the public about how predators manipulate and isolate children.

3. Institutional Accountability

Pressuring schools, religious bodies, and government institutions to adopt stronger child-protection frameworks.

“Our voices are our power. When we share our stories, we take back the narrative from those who tried to steal it.” — Grace Tame

5. The Grace Tame Foundation and Ongoing Activism

Following her Australian of the Year term, Tame founded the Grace Tame Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to preventing child sexual abuse.

As of 2026, the foundation continues to lead national initiatives focused on:

• Survivor empowerment
• Prevention education
• Policy reform

Expanded Advocacy Areas

• Neurodiversity Awareness: Grace Tame has openly discussed her autism diagnosis, highlighting how neurodivergent individuals are often more vulnerable to exploitation.
• Digital Safety: Campaigning for stricter social-media regulations to combat online grooming and abuse.

6. Grace Tame the Author: The Ninth Life of a Diamond Miner

In 2022, Grace Tame released her bestselling memoir, The Ninth Life of a Diamond Miner. The book offers a raw, intelligent, and deeply human account of her life—moving beyond a victim narrative.

The memoir portrays her as:

• An activist
• An artist
• A yoga teacher
• An ultra-marathon runner

The book received critical acclaim and further established her as one of Australia’s most influential contemporary voices.

Conclusion: Why Grace Tame Matters

So, who is Grace Tame? She is more than a survivor—she is a reformer, a truth-teller, and a symbol of change. Her courage dismantled harmful laws, empowered thousands of survivors, and reshaped Australia’s national conversation around consent and justice.

Grace Tame’s legacy proves that one voice, when finally heard, can change a nation.