On Friday, 17 May, Senior Associate at Websters Lawyers, Andrew Carpenter, had the privilege of joining the inspiring Grace Tame on stage at the Australian Lawyers Alliance (ALA) Conference in Lorne, Victoria.
The ALA is a national, not-for-profit association of lawyers, academics, and other professionals dedicated to promoting justice, freedom, and the rights of individuals. They advocate for access to justice and equality before the law for everyone, regardless of wealth, position, gender, sexuality, age, race, or religious belief.
Grace Tame: A Voice for Survivors
Grace Tame is a passionate Australian activist and advocate for survivors of sexual assault. In 2021, she founded the Grace Tame Foundation, aiming for cultural and structural change to eradicate child sexual abuse. Tame was also honored as the 2021 Australian of the Year for her impactful work.
Andrew Carpenter: Champion for Victims
Andrew Carpenter, a dedicated abuse lawyer at Websters Lawyers, has represented numerous survivors of sexual abuse in civil litigation proceedings. He is a vocal advocate for victims’ rights and justice.
Websters Lawyers have partnered with the Grace Tame Foundation, the Carly Ryan Foundation, and Fighters Against Child Abuse Australia. Together, they launched the Super for Survivors campaign to champion victims’ rights and urge the federal government to allow victims to access the superannuation of abuse perpetrators as compensation for their suffering.
Addressing Harsh Realities
During the two-day event, Andrew and Grace tackled the grim statistics surrounding sexual abuse. They shared that 1 in 3 girls and 1 in 5 boys will experience abuse before their 18th birthday. Alarmingly, 80% of this abuse is incest-related, and 93% is committed by someone known to the victim. The two speakers also addressed the many negative outcomes experienced by abuse victims throughout their lives including mental health, relationship, financial, and behavioural impacts.
The Super for Survivors Campaign
A significant point of discussion was the fact that taxpayers have been indemnifying offenders. The Super for Survivors campaign seeks government support for legislative reforms to hold offenders accountable and create a secure future for victims.
Andrew and Grace’s powerful presentation highlighted the urgent need for change and inspired many to join the fight for justice and survivor support. Click the link below to watch the ALA Victoria Conference Keynote Address recording delivered by Grace and Andrew:
01 Grace Tame Andrew Carpenter on Vimeo