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Brittany Higgins speaks publicly for first time since dropped charges

<p dir="ltr"><em>Content warning: This article includes mentions of sexual assault.</em></p> <p dir="ltr">Brittany Higgins has spoken publicly for the first time since the charges of sexual assault were dropped against Bruce Lehrmann due to concerns about her mental health.</p> <p dir="ltr">The former Liberal staffer took to social media with her statement about the trial, noting that “the outcome does not affect the truth”.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I chose to speak up,” she began. </p> <p dir="ltr">“To speak up against rape. To speak up against injustice. To speak up and share my experiences with others.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I told the truth - no matter how uncomfortable or how unflattering - to the Court. The outcome does not affect the truth. When I did speak up, I never fully understood our asymmetrical criminal justice system.</p> <p dir="ltr">“But I do now.”</p> <p><span id="docs-internal-guid-f4ee888b-7fff-8b0a-4782-a0187822af74"></span></p> <p dir="ltr">Higgins, who testified and was cross-examined during the initial trial while Lehrmann wasn’t, continued to describe the impact of taking sexual assault allegations to court and how alleged offenders aren’t impacted to the same degree.</p> <blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/CluKsquhqme/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"> </div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"> <div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"> </div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CluKsquhqme/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Brittany Higgins (@brittanyhiggins___)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p dir="ltr">“I was requested to tell the truth under oath over a week on the witness stand and was cross-examined at length,” she continued.</p> <p dir="ltr">“He was afforded the choice of staying silent in court. Head down in a notebook, completely detached.</p> <p dir="ltr">“He never faced one question in court about his story or the criminal charges.”</p> <p dir="ltr">She added that surrendered her phones, passwords, photos and other data to the court, a requirement Lehrmann was not made to comply with.</p> <p dir="ltr">“My life was publicly scrutinised, open for the world to see. His was not,” she wrote.</p> <p dir="ltr">Higgins also addressed the scrutiny the media faced for initially referring to the trial as the ‘Higgins trial’, saying that she didn’t blame the media “because to me it is very obvious who is on trial”.</p> <p dir="ltr">“He hasn’t had to be publicly accountable - for his actions of any part of his story,” she continued.</p> <p dir="ltr">“This is the reality of how complainants in sexual assault cases are treated.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Their lives are torn apart, their families and friends called to the witness stand and the accused has the legal right to say absolutely nothing.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Like all women who experience sexual violence, I knew the odds were stacked against me from the outset.”</p> <p dir="ltr">She went on to address the imbalance in Australia’s legal system, citing statistics that said only 16 percent of sexual offences reported to police in the ACT during 2020 led to a charge, with only half of that 16 percent resulting in a conviction.</p> <p dir="ltr">“That is to our national shame,” she wrote.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I want to thank the other women who came forward and shared their own experiences.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I believe you. You were with me every day I walked into that courtroom and faced him.”</p> <p dir="ltr">Higgins also went on to thank those who attended the March 4 Justice rallies,  journalists “who helped amplify the issue” and mental health workers, “without whom, I literally would not be here today”.</p> <p dir="ltr">Her statement comes a week after the charges against Lehrmann were dropped and a retrial set for next year was scrapped.</p> <p dir="ltr">The initial trial, which began in October, ended with no verdict due to juror misconduct.</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>If you or someone you know is in need of support as a result of sexual assault or child contact LifeLine on 13 11 14 for immediate support or call 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732 or visit 1800RESPECT.org.au.</em></p> <p dir="ltr"><em><span id="docs-internal-guid-75f0cc4d-7fff-afda-71fc-de5158669136"></span></em></p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image: Getty Images</em></p>

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“This brings this prosecution to an end”: Charges dropped against Bruce Lehrmann

<p dir="ltr">The trial of Bruce Lehrmann over allegations he raped Brittany Higgins has come to an end, after new evidence was presented showing that the “ongoing trauma” of the trial was an unacceptable risk to Ms Higgins.</p> <p dir="ltr">Shane Drumgold, the ACT Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), said on Friday that he had reviewed new medical evidence and made the “difficult decision” to file a notice declining a retrial.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I have recently received compelling evidence from two independent medical experts, that the ongoing trauma associated with this prosecution presents an unacceptable and significant risk to the life of the complainant,’’ he said during a press conference.</p> <p dir="ltr">“The evidence makes it clear this is not limited to the harm of giving evidence in the witness box, rather applies whether or not the complainant is required to re-enter the witness box in the retrial.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Whilst the pursuit of justice is essential for my office and the community, the safety of a complainant in a sexual assault matter, must be paramount.</p> <p dir="ltr">“In light of the compelling independent medical opinions, and balancing all factors, I have made the difficult decision that it is no longer in the public interest to pursue a prosecution at the risk of the complainant’s life.</p> <p dir="ltr">“This has left me no other options but to file a notice declining to proceed with the retrial of prosecution, which I have done this morning.</p> <p dir="ltr">“This brings this prosecution to an end.”</p> <p dir="ltr">Mr Drumgold said that the investigation and trial has resulted in “a level of personal attack” against Ms Higgins that he hadn’t seen in his 20-year career.</p> <p dir="ltr">“She has done so with bravery, grace and dignity, and it is my hope that this now stop; that Miss Higgins now be allowed to heal,” he continued.</p> <p dir="ltr">Mr Drumgold noted that DPP policy states that the decision to prosecute should be made “after due consideration”, shouldn’t be a light or automatic process, and that it can be understood as occurring over two stages.</p> <p dir="ltr">“First, does the evidence offer reasonable prospects of conviction?” he said.</p> <p dir="ltr">“If so, is it in the public interest to proceed with a prosecution?</p> <p dir="ltr">“This is a view I still hold today.”</p> <p dir="ltr">The first trial ended in late October, with the jury being dismissed and no verdict given after a juror brought research material into the courtroom.</p> <p dir="ltr">Lehrmann had pleaded not guilty to one count of sexual intercourse without consent, with his lawyers telling the court that no sexual activity took place.</p> <p dir="ltr">The second trial was due to commence on February 20, 2023.</p> <p dir="ltr">The decision to drop charges against Lehrmann comes after it was revealed that Mr Drumgold was seeking “urgent” legal changes to ensure that Ms Higgins’ evidence could be played in court during a retrial to avoid her taking the witness stand again.</p> <p dir="ltr">Under current legislation, there was uncertainty as to whether a recording of Ms Higgins’ cross-examination could be used in the retrial.</p> <p dir="ltr">The proposed changes would allow sexual assault complainents who give evidence in open court - like Ms Higgins did - to have their evidence played to the jury in the same way that it would be if complainants in remote locations are recorded.</p> <p dir="ltr">It comes amid criticism of the criminal justice system and courts over the re-traumatising experience sexual assault survivors undergo while giving evidence.</p> <p dir="ltr">In a study conducted by the Australian Institute of Criminology, they noted that giving evidence in court can be traumatic and stressful for a number of reasons.</p> <p dir="ltr">“The need for victims to confront the person alleged to have assaulted them, the difficulties of talking about the circumstances surrounding the assault and the embarrassment of being questioned in public about sexual matters can make committals and trials highly traumatic experiences for victims,” they <a href="https://www.aic.gov.au/sites/default/files/2020-05/rpp068.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">wrote</a>.</p> <p dir="ltr">“In the event that a mistrial occurs or the matter is referred for a further hearing at appeal, the trauma is exacerbated because the complainant is required to go through the entire process again. </p> <p dir="ltr">“Such a prospect may not only discourage sexual assault victims from being willing to give testimony, but may also discourage victims from reporting the sexual assault to police in the first place.”</p> <p dir="ltr">They found that jurors presented with evidence face-to-face, through CCTV footage, or in a pre-recorded video weren’t being affected by the mode of evidence on their perception of the survivor or when making decisions.</p> <p><span id="docs-internal-guid-f46bdf13-7fff-1367-57ae-3b1fa4466ea8"></span></p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Images: Getty Images</em></p>

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How Grace Tame inspired Missy Higgins’ new album

<p dir="ltr">When creating a new album, musicians find inspiration in all sorts of places. </p> <p dir="ltr">For Missy Higgins, the inspiration for her mini-album <em>Total Control</em> came from the courageous stories of Grace Tame and Brittany Higgins (no relation!). </p> <p dir="ltr">In an interview with <a href="https://www.abc.net.au/doublej/music-reads/features/missy-higgins-total-control-interview-bluesfest-wildflower/13785762">Double J</a>’s Tim Shiel, the singer-songwriter said she was inspired by the women’s stories of survival, while also drawing inspiration from an ABC drama series. </p> <p dir="ltr">"During the first season [of ABC’s <em>Total Control</em> series], Grace Tame was standing up and telling her story [in real life]," Higgins explains.</p> <p dir="ltr">"Then I was watching Deb Mailman's character on the TV show walking into parliament and standing up in front of all these old white dudes and calling out the oppression of her and her people.”</p> <p dir="ltr">"I just thought 'Wow, there's so many crossovers here'.”</p> <p dir="ltr">The stories of these powerful women helped Missy Higgins to speak her own truth through her music, while also thinking of her daughter. </p> <p dir="ltr">She said, "I'm a mum of a three-year-old girl so it brought up all these feelings of like, 'Wow, women have come a long way and we're actually creating a future that I'm excited for my kid to inherit'.”</p> <p dir="ltr">"This is a world where women are now feeling like they can stand up and tell their truth and people actually will be held accountable. Not as much as in the past do they have to worry about not being believed or losing their job.”</p> <p dir="ltr">"It's people like Grace Tame and Brittany Higgins who've had enough guts to do that. That must have been so hard, it's their bravery that's really carving that path for everyone else."</p> <p dir="ltr">One example of how Missy drew inspiration from the series of the same name as her album comes in <em>Total Control</em>’s closing track <em>I Take It Back</em>. </p> <p dir="ltr">"I wanted to write this song about somebody who's come to a point where they've decided that they're not going to take s*** anymore, basically.”</p> <p dir="ltr">"'Everything that I've given to you, all the energy, all the power that I've given to you, I'm taking that back. I'm reclaiming my story. I'm reclaiming my power.'"</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image credits: Getty Images</em></p>

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Grace Tame blasts Scott Morrison for "last minute" apology

<p><span id="docs-internal-guid-6d054363-7fff-cecc-a0ca-c5f6747b5c92">Former Australian of the Year Grace Tame has slammed Scott Morrison’s apology to victims of alleged sexual assault and bullying in parliament as an “electioneering stunt”, calling on the federal government to do more to improve the culture within the building.</span></p><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">How about some proactive, preventative measures and not just these performative, last-minute bandaid electioneering stunts?</p>— Grace Tame (@TamePunk) <a href="https://twitter.com/TamePunk/status/1490857732563701760?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 8, 2022</a></blockquote><p dir="ltr">The Prime Minister, Opposition Leader Anthony Albanese, and Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce issued statements acknowledging victims of sexual harrassment and bullying in Parliament House.</p><p dir="ltr">The statements were made in both the House of Representatives and the Senate on Tuesday, with Brittany Higgins and six other women present in the gallery.</p><p dir="ltr">Both Mr Morrison and Mr Albanese directly addressed Ms Higgins, acknowledging her bravery in coming forward to share her story.</p><p dir="ltr">The statements were the first recommendation of the independent Jenkins review into workplace culture within Parliament that was conducted last year.</p><p dir="ltr">The review was sparked by Ms Higgins’ allegations that she was raped in a ministerial office.</p><p dir="ltr">It found there was a “boys club” culture of “bullying, sexual harrassment and sexual assault”, and that one in three staff working within the parliamentary offices had experienced sexual harrassment.</p><p dir="ltr">Just after midday, Mr Morrison rose and delivered his formal apology to victims in the House of Representatives.</p><p dir="ltr">“I rise to recognise all of those who are why we are here today making this acknowledgement. I particularly want to acknowledge Ms Brittany Higgins, whose experience, and more importantly courage, is the reason we are all here today. And I want to thank her for that,” Mr Morrison <a href="https://www.news.com.au/national/politics/grace-tame-calls-for-more-action-after-scott-morrison-apology-to-women-of-parliament-hous/news-story/1a1f687e4df7cd8f1d1f9346f4cd52c2" target="_blank" rel="noopener">said</a>.</p><p></p><p dir="ltr">He said members of parliament understood “the power of an apology” to “bring healing and bring change”, referencing former prime minister Kevin Rudd’s apology to Indigenous Australians.</p><p dir="ltr">“I am proud that this is a chamber in which we have done this on so many occasions,” he said.</p><p dir="ltr">“I am sorry. We are sorry. I am sorry to Ms Higgins for the terrible things that took place here. And the place that should have been a place for safety and contribution, turned out to be a nightmare.</p><p dir="ltr">“But I am sorry for far more than that. For all of those who came before Ms Higgins and endured the same. But she had the courage to stand, and so here we are.”</p><p dir="ltr">Ms Higgins left the chamber in tears and was briefly comforted by fellow former Liberal staffer Rachelle Miller, who returned to the gallery soon after.</p><p dir="ltr">Though she didn’t return, Ms Higgins was mentioned by name in other acknowledgements by Mr Albanese, Greens MP Adam Bandt and Independent MP Zali Steggall.</p><p dir="ltr">Ms Higgins’ close friend, Ms Tame, wasn’t present for the apologies but took to Twitter to call for more concrete action.</p><p dir="ltr">“How about some proactive, preventative measures and not just these performative, last-minute bandaid electioneering stunts?” she wrote.</p><p dir="ltr">Despite sparking the workplace review, Ms Higgins was not initially on the invite list for the formal apology.</p><p dir="ltr">“Naturally, I would love to be there. It would be quite a full circle moment of closure to be honest,” she told news.com.au on Monday.</p><p dir="ltr">Members of the public - including former staffers such as Ms Higgins - have been unable to attend Parliament due to Covid rules, but an invitation was later extended to Ms Higgins after <a href="https://www.news.com.au/national/politics/brittany-higgins-reveals-she-hasnt-been-invited-to-parliaments-apology-to-victims-of-alleged-sexual-assault/news-story/43bf9d2e0f9c0c8f8e7f34dbe0570963" target="_blank" rel="noopener">news.com.au reported</a> on the issue.</p><p dir="ltr"><em>Images: Parliament of Australia / Getty Images</em></p>

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Missy Higgins opens up about relentless rumours: “I shut down”

<p>Australian singer Missy Higgins spoke candidly on what life was like during the height of her fame during the 2000’s, admitting the relentless speculation about her sexuality impacted her for life.</p> <p>While in conversation with Anh Do on his show <em>Anh’s Brush With Fame, </em>Higgins reflected on her 2004 album, <em>Sound of White, </em>which made her a household name in Australia at the tender age of just 21.</p> <p>However, with her endless success, unique sound and bold style, rumours surrounding her sexuality followed Higgins.</p> <p>“Everyone was speculating about my sexuality, which was such a personal thing, and such a thing I was grappling with,” she said.</p> <p>“All the journalists were trying to get an answer from me, they all wanted me to say I was gay and to come out loud and proud … but I was still figuring it out myself, and I felt SO much pressure to put myself in a box and put a label on it.”</p> <p><img style="width: 500px; height: 281.25px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7841584/missy-higgins-2.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/b5348d58def14802bfc9bc9bbdca6cbd" /></p> <p>The star went on to say that the media’s treatment forced her to “shut down” in interviews, and her music.</p> <p>“Every time I did an interview, I was in shutdown mode, because they were probing, trying to get me to slip up,” she revealed.</p> <p>“Trying to get me to say a pronoun, you know? I’d be like, ‘How do I describe what this song’s about without saying ‘she’?’</p> <p>“It was so traumatic, in a way. That became my persona: Shutting down in that way meant I wasn’t going to be able to express myself because that would make me way too vulnerable.</p> <p>“The world had me at that point, and they were abusing it. They were abusing that right, and I wanted to take it back.”</p> <p>Higgins ignited media speculation even further when in a 2007 interview with lesbian publication <em>Cherrie, </em>she agreed with the interviewer who had asked if she was “not-so-straight”.</p> <p>A month later in that same year, the musician would come out as bisexual via her Myspace, ending a long media tirade for the star.</p> <p>Higgins began a relationship with comedian Dan Higgins in 2013 and the pair wed in 2016.</p> <p>Together, they share two children.</p> <p><em>Image: Instagram</em></p> <p> </p>

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