Brittany Higgins: ‘My life has been publicly scrutinised, open for the world to see’
Brittany Higgins has given an emotional speech about the toll the justice system has taken on her after a juror’s misconduct triggered a mistrial in the case against her alleged rapist, Bruce Lehrmann. This is what she said.
Police & Courts
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Brittany Higgins has addressed the media after the rape trial of Bruce Lehrmann was aborted over juror misconduct. This is what she said.
“I chose to speak up ... and share my experiences with others,” Ms Higgins said.
“I told the truth. No matter how uncomfortable or unflattering to the court.
“When I did speak up I never fully understood (our) asymmetrical criminal justice system but I do now.
“I was required to tell the truth under oath for over a week in the witness stand, I was cross-examined at length.
“I was required to surrender my telephones, my passwords, messages, photos and my data to him.
“My life has been publicly scrutinised, opened for the world to see.
“Many of you in the media have been called out for labelling the last few weeks ‘the Higgins trial’.
“But I don’t blame you because it’s very clear who has been on trial.
“This is the reality of how complainants in sexual assault cases are treated.
“Their lives are torn apart, their friends and families are called to the witness stand.
“In the ACT during 2020, only 16 per cent of sexual offences were reported to police resulted in a charge. Only half of that number again resulted in a conviction. That is to our national shame.
“I want to thank the other women who came forward and shared their own experiences. I believe you.
“You walked with me everyday in the courtroom and faced them. I want to thank the people of Australia who have rallied behind me, those who chose to attend the March for Justice and I want to thank the workers and Canberra’s healthcare system without whom I literally wouldn’t be here today.
“Again, thank you to the DPP, my family, my friends, my mum, the ACT Victims of Crime Commissioner, Heidi Yates, Leon Zwier – who I have stolen from his family for a really long time – and Emma Webster and my partner, David.
“Thank you to the court and its officers who treated me with such care and respect.”
Mr Lehrmann’s legal team has referred Ms Higgins to police over her comments, asking that they investigate “whether the complainant’s statements might amount to a contempt of court or offences against the ACT Criminal Code”.
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