This Australian Former Political Advisor Who Said She Was Raped By A Colleague In Parliament Has Finally Got Justice
The court found that Bruce Lehrmann was “hellbent on having sex” with Brittany Higgins, who was drunk at the time, and did not care if she had consented or not.
Brittany Higgins spent several days under cross-examination for the trial of her alleged rapist, Bruce Lehrmann
Higgins said she had gone to the police but dropped the complaint in April 2019 as she was worried it would result in her losing her job.
Brittany Higgins (R) receives a hug outside Parliament House on March 15, 2021 in Canberra, Australia. (Photo by Sam Mooy/Getty Images)
After she went public, another three women said they had also been sexually harassed and assaulted by the same man between 2016 and 2020, according to SBS.
People hold up placards during a "March 4 Justice" rally against sexual violence and gender inequality in Melbourne. (Photo by WILLIAM WEST/AFP via Getty Images)
The women’s stories sparked a #MeToo reckoning in the Australian parliament, and protesters took to the streets to demand an end to violence against women.
Callum Lindsay-SMith, Allie Irland, and Ella McAuliffe at the Canberra Women’s March 4 Justice. (Photo by Jamila Toderas/Getty Images)
Bruce Lehrmann, a 28-year-old former political staffer, was later charged but the trial was dropped due to misconduct from a juror.
Bruce Lehrmann emerges from court on April 15, 2024 in Sydney, Australia. Justice Michael Lee has ruled in favour of Network Ten and journalist Lisa Wilkinson in Bruce Lehrmann's defamation case. (Photo by Don Arnold/Getty Images)
But there was no retrial due to concerns about its effects on Higgins’ mental health.
Brittany Higgins after her speach at the Canberra Women’s March, walks with Lisa Wilkinson at the 4 Justice on March 15, 2021 in Canberra, Australia. (Photo by Jamila Toderas/Getty Images)
Lehrmann, who denied the assault, then decided to sue a local TV station and its journalist for defamation for airing Higgins’ story and identifying him, even though he was not named.
Brittany Higgins and Lisa Wilkinson attend the marie claire International Women's Day breakfast at est. on March 08, 2022 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Lisa Maree Williams/Getty Images)
On Monday, April 15, the court in the defamation case found that Lehrmann was “hellbent on having sex” with Higgins, who was drunk at the time, and did not care if she had consented or not.
Protesters gather at Town Hall on March 15, 2021 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Jenny Evans/Getty Images)
It found that Lehrmann had “more likely than not” raped Higgins.
Bruce Lehrmann emerges from court on April 15, 2024 in Sydney, Australia. Justice Michael Lee has ruled in favour of Network Ten and journalist Lisa Wilkinson in Bruce Lehrmann's defamation case. (Photo by Don Arnold/Getty Images)
Lehrmann will now have to pay the legal expenses of the TV station and journalist.
Bruce Lehrmann (R) arrives at the New South Wales Supreme Court on March 16, 2023 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Lisa Maree Williams/Getty Images)
The woman journalist who covered Higgins’ story said she hopes that the “judgment gives strength to women around the country.”
Sue Chrysanthou SC hugs Lisa Wilkinson as they emerge from court on April 15, 2024 in Sydney, Australia. Justice Michael Lee has ruled in favour of Network Ten and journalist Lisa Wilkinson in Bruce Lehrmann's defamation case. (Photo by Don Arnold/Getty Images)Protesters attend a rally against sexual violence and gender inequality in Sydney on March 15, 2021. (Photo by STEVEN SAPHORE/AFP via Getty Images)
Kassy Cho
