Each year since 1971 The Australian newspaper has called for nominations for its Australian of the Year honour.

Winners have been drawn from across virtually all walks of life, endeavour and achievement.

This year, Narrabri’s Virginia Tapscott has been nominated for the award.

Mrs Tapscott is a determined advocate for people who have been the victims of sexual abuse.

“After her sister took her own life following repeated sexual abuse both as a child and as a teenager, Mrs Tapscott made a decision. We can’t fix what we can’t see’,” she told The Australian.

“I will not be silent. I will not be invisible.”

“Since her story was published in September she has become a champion for those too afraid to use their own voice,” in speaking out about their experiences The Australian said on Saturday announcing Mrs Tapscott’s nomination.

“Mrs Tapscott has since developed a network of perfect strangers she can talk to in an online support group about their shared experience of childhood assault, often for the first time.”

The launch of the private page had been ‘revolutionary’ for her ability to cope with her own experience, she told The Australian.

“One day she hopes the page will not have to be private.”

“I want it to help people to practise talking about child sexual assault in real life,” Mrs Tapscott said.

“The more they are able to talk about it in an online forum, the more comfortable they will be to raise it in a face to face conversation.”

Her mission has brought important results including multiple reports to police and at least one arrest.

“It has given hundreds of women the encouragement they needed to come out about childhood sexual abuse, which in many cases has meant children were removed from social situations and perpetrators at large who posed a risk to them.

“What I hear over and over is that people haven’t been able to say it to anyone. It is critical to find someone they can speak to in any capacity.”

That can be anyone from a family member to a professional psychologist. “But for many victims that person has become Mrs Tapscott,” The Australian said.

The judges’ choice of winner of the Australian of the Year award will be announced on Saturday, January 23.

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