Brittany Higgins expressed profound relief after the Federal Court upheld a decision that found Bruce Lehrmann had raped her in Parliament House in 2019. This ruling marked a significant moment for Higgins, who stated she can now “breathe again” following the high-profile appeal loss by Lehrmann, a former Liberal staffer. The court’s decision reinforces the original ruling made by Justice Michael Lee in April 2024, which concluded that Lehrmann had, on the balance of probabilities, committed the act against Higgins.
Lehrmann had initially sued Network Ten and journalist Lisa Wilkinson for defamation over an interview broadcast on The Project in 2021, where Higgins detailed her experience of sexual assault. In her statement posted on social media, Higgins emphasized that while the case appeared to be about defamation, it fundamentally represented a re-examination of her trauma.
“Finally, it feels like I can breathe again,” she wrote on Instagram. “I cannot begin to tell you how retraumatising it is to have your rapist weaponise the legal system against you for daring to speak out.” Higgins highlighted the broader implications of such cases, noting that this tactic is increasingly employed by perpetrators globally to silence victim-survivors, particularly in the wake of the #MeToo movement.
Lehrmann consistently denied the allegations of sexual assault. His initial criminal trial in 2022 was abandoned without any findings, yet the legal battles continued. On Wednesday, he did not attend court but was represented by lawyer Zali Burrows, who indicated that Lehrmann was “overwhelmed” by the court’s ruling. Burrows also mentioned that they are exploring options for appealing the decision to the High Court.
As part of the initial defamation ruling, Lehrmann was ordered to pay $2 million in damages, and he is now liable for the legal costs incurred by his opponents during the appeal. This financial burden adds to his ongoing legal troubles.
In addition to the defamation case, Lehrmann faces separate legal issues related to car theft. He is scheduled to appear in court in Hobart on November 20, 2024, regarding charges of stealing a Toyota Prado. A warrant for his arrest was issued on November 6 after he failed to attend a preliminary hearing, with magistrate Robert Webster warning that further action could be taken if he did not comply with court orders.
As this case unfolds, it continues to resonate within discussions about sexual assault, legal accountability, and the rights of victims. For those affected by sexual abuse, resources are available, including the National Sexual Abuse and Redress Support Service at 1800 211 028 and 1800 RESPECT at 1800 737 732.
