Macquarie University Law School graduate Noelle Martin has been awarded the 2019 Western Australian Young Australian of the Year.
The award recognises Noelle’s work as a law reform advocate. Her efforts have helped provide avenues for justice for victims of image-based sexual abuse. Noelle dedicated the award to her fellow survivors: “This is dedicated to the one in five Australians who have experienced image-based abuse. Now that it is criminalised nationally, I will not stop until there is global change”.
At the age of 18, Noelle Martin, now aged 24, discovered that sexual predators had stolen images of her from social media, editing them onto pornographic images and videos. While still a law student, Noelle first started with her personal fight to have the images taken down from the sites where they appeared, and then began to campaign on behalf of fellow and future victims of image-based abuse. Noelle’s courageous actions were a major factor in new laws being introduced and passed in New South Wales in 2017, in 2018 at the Commonwealth level and in Western Australia, making it a criminal offence to distribute non-consensual intimate images.
Noelle has become the face of the fight against image-based abuse. She regularly speaks to the media, and educates people on the harmful impacts of this type of abuse. Including recently at a seminar at a Law School event held with law firm Clayton Utz.
"We are proud to count Noelle among our law graduates. The Macquarie University Law School combines rigorous legal education and research with societal commitment. Noelle exemplifies both qualities. She is an inspiring example of the courage and leadership we strive to promote", Professor De Vos (Dean) said.
She is pictured here (centre) with members of Macquarie Law School, Dr Shireen Daft (left) and Zara Bending (right).
Noelle represented Western Australia at this year’s national Young Australian of the Year awards. We congratulate Noelle on this outstanding achievement.