Events
Brisbane: In Conversation with Jessica Rudd
Jessica Rudd will be in conversation with Sonia Orchard for her In the National Interest edition, Before the Harm: Preventing Abuse, Protecting Children.
ABOUT THE BOOK
Stories of child sexual abuse appear in the media weekly, often framed as isolated incidents. But child sexual abuse and exploitation is one of Australia’s most pervasive human rights challenges, affecting over a quarter of children. The ripple effect – the burden on mental health, drug and alcohol services – means all Australians pay for the damage wrought by these crimes. Yet we continue to see a crisis to respond to rather than a harm that could be prevented.
In Before the Harm, Sonia Orchard challenges this reactive model. Drawing on interviews with leading voices including Jess Hill, Grace Tame and Professors Ben Mathews, Michael Salter and Daryl Higgins, alongside research and accounts from survivors and offenders, she shows that abuse is neither random nor unknowable. It often follows recognisable pathways – and this gives opportunities for meaningful interventions.
We know that policing is chronically underfunded, that tech companies’ reluctance to make platforms accountable leaves kids at risk, that grooming is on the rise. But there is a growing body of evidence for prevention measures to better protect children in homes, online and in the community. Clear-eyed and compelling, Before the Harm reframes one of our most confronting social issues – and shows that protecting children begins long before a crime is committed.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Sonia Orchard is an award-winning author and a leading voice advocating for systemic reform in the prevention of child sexual abuse. Her memoir Groomed (2025), which chronicles her experience navigating the justice system as a complainant in a historic case, weaves lived experience with neuroscience, culture and law, and has helped catalyse national conversation and action. Since its publication, she has received widespread responses from survivors and engaged with policymakers, presented at conferences and appeared widely in national media, contributing to growing momentum for prevention-focused reform. She holds a PhD in Creative Writing from RMIT University and works with marginalised communities, using storytelling as a tool for agency, advocacy and change.
Location
Avid Reader Bookshop
193 Boundary Street, West End QLD 4101
Tickets
Free, but bookings essential. Book here.
Sonia Orchard in conversation with Jess Hill and Grace Tame
Jess Hill is an investigative journalist, author of See What You Made Me Do, The Reckoning and the Quarterly Essay: Losing It: Can We Stop Violence Against Women and Children?, and one of Australia’s most recognised and respected thinkers on gendered violence. In addition to her broadcast work – two highly acclaimed docuseries on SBS and a podcast titled The Trap – she has spoken at almost 400 events across the country. Her work has won three Walkley Awards, an Amnesty International Award and the Stella Prize. In 2023, she was the Marie Claire Changemaker of the Year and, in 2024, the NSW Premier’s Woman of Excellence.
Grace Tame is a survivor-advocate, bestselling author, columnist, and ultra-marathon runner. Named 2021 Australian of the Year, she became a national voice for survivors of child sexual abuse after successfully overturning Tasmania’s gag laws, becoming the first female survivor in the state to speak out under her own name. She is the founder of the Grace Tame Foundation, a not-for-profit driving national initiatives to prevent, disrupt and respond to child sexual abuse. Her bestselling memoir, The Ninth Life of a Diamond Miner, was shortlisted for three Australian Book Industry Awards and has cemented her place as a candid and powerful storyteller.
Date
Tuesday 22 September 2026 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM (UTC+10)
Location
Upstairs at Gleebooks
49 Glebe Point Road, Glebe NSW 2037
Melbourne: Sonia Orchard and Louise Milligan in Converstaion
We are honoured to welcome Sonia Orchard for a conversation with journalist and author Louise Milligan, about her new book, Before the Harm: Preventing Abuse, Protecting Children, the latest in MUP's In the National Interest series.
Before the Harm starts a conversation that is long overdue: child sexual abuse is one of Australia’s most widespread and devastating public health crises, with children more exposed than ever, from the privacy of the family home to the unpoliced corners of the internet. But there is some hope in this darkest of topics: CSA is preventable, but – as Before the Harm outlines – prevention requires political courage and real investment in support programmes.
Drawing on interviews with leading voices including Jess Hill, Grace Tame and Professors Ben Mathews, Michael Salter and Daryl Higgins, alongside research and accounts from survivors and offenders, Sonia Orchard reframes one of our most confronting social issues and shows that protecting children begins long before a crime is committed.
Please note that some members of our community may find this event distressing and are advised to consider the impact of hearing more about this topic.
Location
Readings State Library
Wurundjeri Country, State Library Victoria, 285-321 Russell St, Melbourne
Free, but bookings are essential. Book here.
"#MeToo Downunder", panel discussion at Nelson Arts Festival
Ali Mau (author of No Words for This) and Sonia Orchard (author of Groomed) examine what happens when the people you trust most betray you and shine the light on what needs to change for justice to prevail. Chaired by Dr Nikki Evans.
Unflinching, insightful, and ultimately hopeful, join us to celebrate the power of collective action in shaping how we can better listen to survivors, achieve cultural shifts, and create safer communities.
In No Words for This, award-winning broadcaster, journalist and thought leader Ali Mau shares her own behind-the-scenes sexual abuse story, which collided with her professional life, as she reported on the stories of survivors who broke their silence as part of the #MeToo movement in Aotearoa. As one of New Zealand’s foremost communications experts, Ali now leads advocacy, stakeholder, sector and donor engagement for Tika, a new legal charity boldly taking action against sexual harm and provide a new, safe and supported pathway for people to seek justice together.
Groomed is Sonia Orchard’s account of being groomed and sexually abused, at age 15, by a man almost double her age – her ‘first boyfriend’. In the book, she delves into culture, neuroscience and evolution, unpicking the enduring narratives that fuel these issues. As she navigates her way through a legal system stacked against victims of sexual assault, the obstacles to justice become clearer and more confronting than ever.
This event is eligible for the Pukapuka Talks Multi-Show Pass:
Buy 3 tickets to our Pukapuka Talks events and save $20.
Further tickets will receive an additional 25% discount.
Apply the code “PUKAPUKA” at checkout to receive this discount. All tickets must be purchased in one transaction to receive the discount.
All books will be on sale through our festival bookstore partner, Paper Plus Nelson, both in store at 237 Trafalgar Street Nelson, online, and at our Pukapuka Talks venues – get your copies signed by the authors after their session! If you’re buying online, please select the Nelson store to collect in person.
"How do we Stop the Violence?" panel discussion at Headland Writers Festival. Jess Hill & Sonia Orchard with Vesna Andric
Rates of violence against women and children in Australia remain alarmingly high despite increased efforts over recent decades. Jess Hill’s groundbreaking work on gendered violence and Sonia Orchard’s part-memoir and part-investigation add valuable insight into the institutional, legal and cultural roadblocks to real progress. They will be joined by Vesna Andric from Staying Home Leaving Violence, Bega. *Content Warning: This session contains reference to acts of grooming and family and sexual violence.
"Uncomfortable" Webinar Series, Safeguarding Training Australia
Safeguarding Training Australia will facilitate a conversation (60min interview, followed by 30minwith survivor advocate and award-winning author, Sonia Orchard.
Since the publication of Groomed – part-memoir, part in-depth research into the cultural, social, and even biological factors behind child grooming – Sonia has dedicated herself to justice reform, survivor advocacy and raising awareness around the prevalence and impacts of child grooming.
"Tell Your Story" - 5 week memoir writing course at historic Duneira Estate
Join award winning author Sonia Orchard in the library at Duneira Estate for a "Write your own memoir course" In this 5-week course, participants will learn the basics of memoir writing and why it is such a powerful writing form. Exercises will be focused on helping participants find their own 'story', their voice and their style. They will also learn tips on scene setting, story-telling, and how to shape their narrative into a manuscript. Sonia excels at creating a safe space for writers (from beginners to experienced), and helping them build the confidence and create the plan they need to continue with their memoir writing beyond the classes. Every Thursday from July 24th for 5 weeks, 10am-2pm.
“Can we stop the violence?” panel with Jess Hill and Shannon Molloy, moderated by Ginger Gorman, at Words on the Waves Writers Festival, Umina
In this hard-hitting session, we grapple with violence against women and children in Australia and the failures of our legal system. Jess Hill expands on her groundbreaking Quarterly Essay and Australia’s National Plan to End Violence Against Women and Children. Sonia Orchard and Shannon Molloy share works that are part-memoir, part-investigation; adding a crucial personal reflection to the conversation. What is working? And what needs to change for a brighter future?
Tell Your Story - Memoir writing intensive
One-day (10am-4pm) memoir-writing intensive with award-winning writer and creative writing teacher Sonia Orchard, author of memoir "Groomed". Venue is a private room at the grand old Mount Macedon pub.
Participants will learn the basics of memoir writing and why it is such a powerful writing form. Exercises will be focused on helping participants find their own 'story', their voice and their style. They will also learn tips on scene setting, story-telling, and how to shape their narrative into a manuscript. Sonia excels at creating a safe space for writers (from beginners to experienced), and helping them build the confidence and create the plan they need to continue with their memoir writing beyond the classes. No writing experience necessary, just a pen and lots of paper and a willingness to get started.
Tea and coffee is provided, and the pub kindly asks that you buy lunch. Tickets are $210 (includes all booking fees).
"Spotlight on Sexual Violence" panel at ANROWS Conference 2025, with Prof Ben Mathews and Prof Michael Salter, moderated by Karen Bevan
This panel will explore the latest evidence on young people’s experiences of sexual violence within and outside relationships, including peer-based sexual violence, the use of technology and the need for alternative justice system responses.
Can we stop the violence? Panel Appearance at Words on the Waves Writers Festival, Umina
Jess Hill, Sonia Orchard, Shannon Molloy. Moderator: Ginger Gorman
In this hard-hitting session, we grapple with violence against women and children in Australia and the failures of our legal system. Jess Hill expands on her groundbreaking Quarterly Essay and Australia’s National Plan to End Violence Against Women and Children. Sonia Orchard and Shannon Molloy share works that are part-memoir, part-investigation; adding a crucial personal reflection to the conversation. What is working? And what needs to change for a brighter future?
** Content Warning: This session contains reference to acts of grooming and family and sexual violence.
In Print: Read about Groomed in Good Weekend
Pick up a copy of Good Weekend (The Age/Sydney Morning Herald) for a detailed article on Sonia’s new book Groomed.
Book Launch: Groomed
Join Mary Gearin and Martin Hughes to celebrate the launch of Sonia Orchard's Groomed.
Sonia was in her forties when she told a therapist about the boyfriend she had when she was fifteen. Sure, he had been a decade older than her, but it was consensual ... wasn't it? To her surprise, Sonia broke down in tears, then began to shake uncontrollably - an unmistakable expression of trauma that lasted for days. She was clearly not okay, but could the relationship she'd thought was loving really have been abuse? Had she been groomed?
Free, but bookings are essential.
Please Book Here.
Tune in: ABC TV Weekend Breakfast Interview
Tune in live to ABC RN Breakfast at 8am this Saturday 8 Feb 2025 to hear Sally Sara and Sonia Orchard chat about the release of Sonia’s new memoir Groomed.