Former Australian of the Year Grace Tame has revealed that the paedophile who repeatedly raped her when she was in high school kept an envelope of her hair.
She and Brittany Higgins are giving a highly-anticipated joint address to the National Press Club on Wednesday.
Ms Tame was groomed when she was 15 and repeatedly sexually abused by her 58-year-old teacher Nicholaas Bester.
“Why, just the other day, someone online called me a horrible, horrible person who aggressively pursued her teacher and then blamed everyone else,” Ms Tame said.
“I have lost count of how many times I have had to say this now, but the man who abused me was that my high school from 1992 until I reported him in 2011 – his first successful target was in 1993.”
Ms Tame said she had spoken to others he had taken advantage of.
She then spoke about sickening details of what police found at her abuser’s house.
“Along with 28 multimedia files of child abuse material, which included nine files of videos of adults penetrating children, the police found a trophy file of students both in uniform and topless on his computer,” she said.
“All of whom either came from broken homes like me or lived in at the boarding house away from their families
“And among the items that were assumed to be mine that were given back to me after the investigation was an envelope full of my own hair.”
Ms Higgin earlier spoke about what she thought of the Prime Minister’s apology to her.
On Tuesday Australia’s political leaders formally apologised to anyone who had experienced sexual harassment, sexual assault or bullying while working in parliament.
Scott Morrison personally apologised to Ms Higgins after the bombshell review by Australia’s sex discrimination commissioner, Kate Jenkins, found one in three people interviewed had experienced some form of sexual harassment.
Ms Higgins alleges she was raped in Parliament House when she was 19.
“I am sorry. We are sorry,” Mr Morrison told parliament.
“I’m sorry to Ms Higgins for the terrible things that took place here.
“And the place that should have been a place of safety and contribution turned out to be a nightmare.”
Ms Higgins said she wanted to “earnestly” thank the Prime Minister and the Opposition Leader for their statements and apologies.
“It was encouraging, and an important sentiment, but I am cognisant that, at this point in time, they are still only words,” she said.
“Actions are what matter and what will be the true test of whether the government is committed to creating systemic change.”
