Grace Tame recognised with Australian of the Year Award

Ms Tame, the first Tasmanian to win the national award, inspired a global movement to allow Tasmanian victims of sexual assault to name their abuser - something they were previously unable to do due to gag laws.

During a tearful and passionate acceptance speech, Ms Tame said the recognition and award was for all the survivors of sexual abuse.

"Publicly I was silence by law, not anymore," she said.

"Australia, we have come a long way but there is still work to do."

"Trauma does not discriminate, nor does it end when the abuse does."

Ms Tame said her focus this year would be to educate others and empower survivors, as every voice mattered.

"Together we can redefine what it means to be a survivor," she said.

"I know who I am, a survivor, a proud Tasmanian."

"Let's make some noise Australia."

Premier Peter Gutwein congratulated Ms Tame on being awarded the Australian of the Year.

"I'd like to offer a huge congratulations to Grace Tame ... in what is an incredible recognition of her powerful advocacy for survivors of sexual assault," he said.

"Grace has demonstrated extraordinary courage championing the #LetHerSpeak campaign, in which she used her voice to push for legal reform and raise public awareness about the impacts of sexual violence.

"It takes immense courage for survivors to speak out about their experience, and in recognition of this the Tasmanian Government amended section 194K of the Evidence Act 2001 to provide victims the right to speak publicly."

Mr Gutwein also acknowledged the other category winners and congratulated all the Tasmanian finalists.

From the age of 15, Ms Tame was groomed and raped by her 58-year-old math teacher, who was found guilty and jailed for his crimes.

However, under Tasmania's sexual-assault victim gag laws, Grace was unable to legally speak out about her experience - despite the perpetrator and media being free to do so.

Ms Tame became the first Tasmanian woman to win the right to publicly self-identify as a rape survivor after she applied to the Supreme Court, working with the #LetHerSpeak campaign, to remove the gag laws.

Since then Ms Tame has been a regular guest speaker for high profiled events, television programs, and uses her voice to advocate for other vulnerable groups in the community.