Tasmanian Premier Peter Gutwein has revealed he was sexually abused by a teacher when he was a 16-year-old boy.
Mr Gutwein dropped the bombshell during a press conference on Friday.
The Premier is under pressure after members of his government groaned in response to a question about a child abuse survivor during Question Time this week.
Mr Gutwein later offered the woman a personal and public apology.
He then opened up about an experience from his childhood.
Mr Gutwein revealed he had been a victim of child sex abuse and had “great empathy” for victim survivors “because I walked in their shoes”.
“When I was 16 I was a victim of child sexual assault,” the Premier said.
“It was my former teacher when I left high school and it was over the Christmas holidays.
“I was asked to go their home to have a beer which I thought was a fantastic. I’d know this person for along time.
“While I was there, they placed their arm around me and they grabbed for my groin and tried to get their hand down my pants.
“I was big enough and strong enough to get them off me and get away.”
xjmtzywMr Gutwein was asked if Liberal MPs would be reprimanded for their actions or forced to apologise.
“In terms of the groans in parliament, if I truly believed that there was any intent to maliciously damage or hurt the person involved, then I would have dragged them into the parliament myself yesterday and forced them to respond,” he said.
“I provided an apology without excuse or explanation.
“Last night this really troubled me to have a victim survivor that felt this government wasn't being supportive. It’s one of the first night’s I’ve lost sleep in a long time.”
After delivering his response, Mr Gutwein promptly ended the press conference.
