Events
"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.
"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.
"#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.
"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.