Support Is Flooding In For Brittany Higgins After She Was Hospitalised For Her Mental Wellbeing
Her partner says she is taking time to recover after months of sustained political pressure.
Brittany Higgins has been admitted to hospital in the interests of her mental welfare, The Guardian reported.
Content Warning: This article contains discussion of sexual assault.
She was hospitalised after months of speaking up against the culture of sexual assault and sexism in parliamentary workplaces.
All my strength and love to Brittany Higgins and the people who directly love and support her.
This is unacceptable.#auspol
— Rachel Baker đź–¤ (@RachelBkr) June 4, 2021
Her partner, David Sharaz told the Guardian that she is recovering and receiving support after an onslaught of “sustained political pressure”.
Wishing Brittany Higgins all the best for her recovery from this cruel ordeal #LNP are putting her through while Ms Higgins only wants justice.
— R M Mackenzie 🌏💧 (@RMMackenzie1) June 4, 2021
Higgins is a former Liberal staffer who was allegedly sexually assaulted by a colleague in Parliament House two years ago. She came forward on The Project in February this year before lodging a formal complaint with the Australian Federal Police just over a week later.
Sharaz told NewsCorp that the last sitting fortnight in Parliament was particularly difficult for Higgins. Prime Minister Scott Morrison presented a report on May 25 denying that Sharaz was backgrounded by his staff in the days after Higgins came forward with her allegations — which she requested be looked into back in March.
Higgins’ revelation sparked another Australian #MeToo movement, with more cases coming to light after her own.
How can we send massive support, gratitude, sisterhood, love and strength to Brittany Higgins?
Especially from survivors. So she knows she is not alone.
Recover well sister. We continue the war. #EnoughIsEnough
— Marcella Brassett (@MarcellaBrasset) June 3, 2021
Former Attorney-General Christian Porter recently discontinued a defamation lawsuit against the ABC for their coverage of a historical rape allegation he was at the centre of. In March, an unidentified Liberal staffer was fired for masturbating over a female MP’s desk.
thinking a lot about Brittany Higgins and the toll it takes to keep telling the truth, especially when intimidating people around you tell you that you should doubt yourself
— SinĂ©ad Stubbins (@SineadStubbins) June 3, 2021
Higgins’ own story demonstrated the poor handling of these serious allegations by elected politicians in positions of power. Defence Minister Peter Dutton labelled it a “she said, he said” situation, and Higgins’ own boss, the former Defence Minister Linda Reynolds, called her a “lying cow”.
Being called a lying cow by a cabinet minister would sure take a toll on one's mental health.
Linda Reynolds should be ashamed of herself. How can she look herself in the mirror and think she has done nothing wrong. #auspol #brittanyhiggins #lyingcow #ibelievebrittany
— Stephen (@TheAviator1992) June 3, 2021
Police have reportedly received nearly 20 new complaints about potential crimes involving federal MPs and staffers, while evidence for Higgins’ investigation is expected to be handed to prosecutors in the next few weeks.
#BrittanyHiggins deserves an Order of Australia for her integrity, courage & impact.
— đź’§Jane Salmon (@JSalmonupstream) June 3, 2021