World · East Asia & Pacific · 3 hrs ago
Former NT health chief Hugh Heggie speaks publicly about childhood abuse attempt
Hugh Heggie has spoken publicly for the first time about an attempted abuse he says he experienced as a 14-year-old in Victoria.
He said an older leader in his church youth group offered him alcohol and invited him to a drive-in cinema.
At the cinema, Heggie said the man touched his leg, and he got out of the car when the man's hand went too far.
Heggie, now 76, never returned to the group, reported the incident to police or told his parents.
He kept the experience to himself for decades, but said it affected how he acted as a parent and left him worried other young people may have been harmed.
A survivors' foundation says speaking out can help others seek justice and challenge child harm in Australia.
Hugh Heggie has spoken publicly for the first time about an attempt by a church youth group leader to groom and abuse him when he was 14.
The former Northern Territory chief health officer said the man offered him alcohol and took him to a drive-in cinema.
Heggie said he got out of the car when the man touched his leg and demanded to be taken home.
He did not report the incident or tell his parents, and said it affected how he acted as a parent.
A National Survivors Foundation executive said stories like his can encourage survivors to seek justice.
- Who
- Hugh Heggie, a former doctor and former Northern Territory chief health officer.
- What
- He has spoken publicly for the first time about an attempted abuse by a church youth group leader when he was 14.
- When
- More than 60 years after the incident. The article was published on November 13, 2026.
- Where
- The youth group was in Victoria, where Heggie grew up; the incident took place during a drive-in cinema outing.
- Why
- Heggie said he is concerned the leader may have taken advantage of other young people.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
A church youth group leader began grooming him and offered him alcohol.
Heggie agreed to go with the man to a drive-in cinema.
Heggie said the man put his hand on his leg, and he got out of the car and demanded to go home.
Heggie spoke publicly about the experience for the first time.
- Age at the time
- 14
- Heggie's age now
- 76
- Location where he grew up
- Victoria
- Former role
- Northern Territory chief health officer
- Time before speaking publicly
- More than 60 years after the experience
What people are saying
I realised he was trying to get me intoxicated, so I pretended to drink
When his hand went too far, I got out of the car and said, 'You either take me home now or I will walk home'
But yes, it does worry me … particularly because of the possibility there were other young people that he took advantage of
Hugh is an example of survivorship that people don't necessarily expect to see