Moment that made abuse survivor speak

Tiffany Skeggs was just 11 years old when lifts to netball games led to a cunning paedophile targeting her in his prolific web of abuse.

Notorious Tasmanian predator James Griffin would collect Tiffany for netball on Saturday mornings and on the way, park his car and molest her.

It had started with long hugs and kissing but quickly escalated as time wore on.

He would later sexually abuse the pre-teen in a first aid room at the netball precinct while on duty.

She said the first time she remembers being raped by Griffin was at his home when she was just 15 years old.

The abuse occurred regularly, over several years, and at various locations, she said.

Tiffany was groomed to believe she was the only victim, until one day in 2019 she saw him surrounded by children at the netball courts.

This was the moment she decided to step forward and report the horrific abuse.

“Then it was no longer about me or what I’ve experienced, it was solely about doing my bit and fulfilling my obligation in keeping other children safe,” she said.

What followed was an isolating and intense road towards justice that was hindered by Tasmania’s infamous laws that stripped survivors from the right to tell their story publicly.

“I was very much silenced while the police investigation was underway and court proceedings were ongoing, Tiffany said.

“I was told to remain quiet and not engage with any member of the media or with any member of the outside world.

“I wasn’t allowed to speak to my family or friends about it, it was an extremely lonely and difficult journey.”

In September 2019, Griffin, aged 69, was charged with a number of criminal offences involving the repeated sexual abuse of a child.

By October that year, four more women had made similar complaints to police. There were allegations of abuse from the late 1980s through to 2012.

Griffin admitted to criminal sexual misconduct during a formal police interview and said he had met Ms Skeggs through a local sporting group.

He died by suicide while on bail on October 19, 2019.

Three years later, Tiffany said the likes of National Survivors’ Day on November 15 will hopefully encourage others to tell their story.

“The majority of people impacted by child sexual abuse will never speak up,” she said.

“If there’s an inkling inside of you, in your mind, if something feels wrong or feels like it could be wrong, it probably is.

“And that is through no fault of your own. You hold no responsibility in this setting whether it’s past abuse or it’s a current situation you’re trying to escape from, the offending solely lies with the perpetrator.”

To learn more about National Survivors’ Day and donate, visit nationalsurvivorsday.org.au