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Katrina Marson
Author, Education Consultant, Inspirational Speaker, Personal Development/Welfare, Social Issues
Katrina Marson is a criminal lawyer, author and advocate. She is an expert in relationships and sexuality education as a means of protecting against sexual violence and safeguarding sexual wellbeing, and is an empowering and inclusive speaker.
Where were you born?
I was born in Canberra, and I am not one of those people who laments that fact. My city is a wonderful home base from which I can travel and do my work all over the country.
What other jobs have you had?
I have spent most of my career appearing in court as a criminal lawyer, mostly as a sexual offences prosecutor. I have also worked at Legal Aid, representing people accused of all sorts of crimes, including sexual violence. I led the implementation of the Child Abuse Royal Commission’s criminal justice recommendations in the ACT, improving access to justice for victims and enhancing the safety of young people. I tutor in criminal law and evidence law at the Australian National University, and write a regular column for The Age/Sydney Morning Herald about relationships, sexuality and society.
What themes are recurring in your work?
In my work as a criminal lawyer I saw, over and over again, the end result of our failure to give young people access to the skills, knowledge and values they deserve. Consequently, advocating for young people’s right to live free from sexual violence, to have access to the information and education they need to safeguard their own and each other’s wellbeing, has become my vocation.
What have been the highlights of your career?
Appearing in court on behalf of the community, or on behalf of accused persons, was a responsibility I never took lightly and was a defining part of my career. It made me the advocate and speaker I am today.
Travelling overseas on a Churchill Fellowship to research best practice relationships and sexuality education was an unmatched opportunity that deepened my expertise. Writing a book, Legitimate Sexpectations, allowed me to explore a new way to advocate for this issue, and to put all my knowledge into one place.
Stepping onto the red circle when I did a TEDx talk in 2022 was also an incredible experience!
Where have your works been published?
You can find my book in any good bookstore, but you can also read my writing in The Age/Sydney Morning Herald, the Australian Journal of Human Rights, the journal of Sex Education and Crikey News.
Haven’t I seen you before?
You may have seen me on your TV screen on 60 Minutes, The Drum, The Project, ABC Breakfast or Afternoon Briefings. Or on stage at the Sydney Opera House for All About Women, or at the Melbourne Writers Festival, the Canberra Writers Festival or the TEDxBrisbane stage!
Anything else you’d like to share with us?
My style is to empower, not to lecture: I endeavour to give every audience I speak to something useful to come away with.
Testimonials
We are deeply grateful for the presentation Katrina Marson shared during our recent End it Now National online summit. She stepped in at the last minute and yet managed to understand the brief and deliver a superb talk on the issue of sexual abuse and consent. Her passion and knowledge came through clearly and her main point on the importance of education was spot on. We have had plenty of positive feedback and wouldn’t hesitate to recommend Katrina to anyone who needs an articulate, professional and knowledgeable presenter who speaks with empathy and understanding.