This conversation talks about child sexual abuse, mental illness and other subjects which may be triggering. Please, if it brings anything up, call Lifeline on 13 14 14, or 1800 RESPECT.

Our guest today is journalist Virginia Tapscott, whose words have graced many a Graziher page. Ginny lives on a property near Albury with her husband, Rhys and their four young children, Oscar, 6, four year old Eva, three year old Elke and four month old Tully.

Ginny, who was named the Caroline Jones Women in Media Young Journalist’s Award in 2019 and last year named as one of 21 women who defined 2021 by Vogue Magazine, is breaking completely new ground with her fight against child sexual abuse.

The journalist has recently launched an investigative podcast series alongside The Australian newspaper and reporter Steve Jackson, called My Sister’s Secrets. It’s an at-times harrowing and deeply difficult listen. But it’s also courageous and compelling, as Ginny explores the events leading up to the abuse she and her older sister, Ally experienced as children, by their step grandfather. Ally later experienced a separate alleged assault as a teenager, and died in June 2020 from a drug overdose.

These are stories we’d rather weren’t real. But they are, and Ginny’s bravery is extraordinary. Her ability to look the ugly truth in the eye and speak about her lived experience is sending ripples across Australia. And she’s creating a safe space for other survivors to come forward and seek the help and justice they deserve. We want to help platform her work to help others in the bush have these tough conversations. For legal reasons, part of this interview has been removed.

Listen to My Sisters Secrets an investigative podcast by Virginia and journalist Steve Jackson for The Australian newspaper here.

Other helpful resources:

Bravehearts - Australia's leading child protection organisation.

'The Body Keeps The Score' by Bessel Van Der Kolk

The Grace Tame Foundation (2021 Australian of the Year)

All women police stations in Latin America. Article.