Content warning: this article deals with sexual assault and may be triggering to some readers.
Very few have the emotional fortitude to lay bare their individual experience of abuse, let alone with so much grace. But just as her namesake suggests, this is what Grace Tame continues to demonstrate. At 28 she has become one of the most impressive voices in Australia, after sparking much needed public discussion surrounding trauma and sexual abuse.
Now, just one year out from her 2021 Australian of the Year award, the survivor and advocate is sharing her life experience, with an impressive memoir. In a post shared with her 239,000 strong Instagram following, Tame officially revealed the news of her memoir. Titled The Ninth Life of a Diamond Miner, here she will detail her life, her mission for justice and the conversations that set off a nationwide outrage over sexual abuse.
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In a statement, her publisher Pan Macmillan spoke of Tame's unending courage and how some of the themes will speak to Australian's of all walks.
"From a young age, her life was defined by uncertainty—by trauma and strength, sadness and hope, terrible lows and wondrous highs. "As a teenager she found the courage to speak up after experiencing awful and ongoing child sexual abuse. This fight to find her voice would not be her last".
"Australians from all walks of life were inspired and moved by her fire and passion. Here she was using her voice, and encouraging others to use theirs too," the description continues, adding that the memoir will serve as "Grace's story, in Grace's words, on Grace's terms".
A constant fighter for sexual abuse victims, Grace's admirable strength resulted in the successful overturning of the oppressive 'victim gag laws' in Tasmania and the Northern Territory. Now, she unrelentingly continues to fight for justice on the disturbing reality of child grooming and abuse that continues to lay dormant in Australian culture. These being areas that will no doubt be spoken of in detail in The Ninth Life of a Diamond Miner along with perspectives from her own personal journey.
In terms of the book, the front cover was hand-illustrated by Tame herself, paying homage to her life as a talented illustrator, where she not long ago worked alongside comedian John Clease on his US tour.
Talent, poise and undeniable courage, something she continues to demonstrate with vigour.
Grace Tame's memoir, The Ninth Life of a Diamond Miner, will be released on July 27th, and is currently available to pre-order at Pan Macmillan.
Image: Instagram
