Brittany Higgins breaks silence on the ‘brutalising’ toll of her legal battle, motherhood, and demands change

Former Liberal staffer Brittany Higgins has spoken candidly about the enduring trauma of her legal battle and the personal toll it has taken on her and those closest to her, using a public appearance in Geelong to call for urgent justice reform.

Addressing a crowd of 300 at the Conversations That Matter 2025 event at GHMBA Stadium, Ms Higgins said Australia’s legal system fails victims of sexual assault, focusing “brutally” on the complainant instead of the accused.

“There wouldn’t have been a need for a #MeToo movement (in Australia) if our criminal justice system was actually working the way it was intended for victims,” she said.

Ms Higgins described how the courtroom process shifts quickly to scrutinise the alleged victim — her behaviour, past, alcohol use, social media, and motives — rather than examining the accused, the Daily Mail reports.

“Why is it that our justice system demands perfection from the traumatised but accepts silence from the accused?” she asked.

Ms Higgins urged the Albanese Government to take more concrete action on gendered violence, especially after making it a central campaign issue in 2022.

She criticised the Federal Government’s $21.4 million victim support package, saying it largely amounted to “more reviews and more trials,” and not enough real-world change.

Her speech also touched on the impact of trauma on loved ones.

“It’s hard on you as the person going through that process. It’s also hard on your loved ones,” she said.

Ms Higgins, now a mother to baby Freddie, shared how her son recently underwent surgery, a moment that changed her perspective and deepened her empathy for her own mother, Kelly.

“My heart broke into a million pieces at seeing him in pain,” she said.

“I extend so much more empathy to my own mother, who had to experience all this stuff as a parent, not being able to do anything.”

Her son attended the event, quietly sitting with her husband, David Sharaz, among the audience of advocates, charity officials, and community leaders.

Ms Higgins, who has become a vocal advocate for survivors of violence, said accessing mental health support is critical for making it “through to the outside of these processes.”

Four years ago, Ms Higgins received $2.4 million in compensation from the Federal Government after claiming she was medically unfit for work following her allegation that she was raped in Parliament House by former colleague Bruce Lehrmann.

Justice Michael Lee later found Lehrmann had raped her on the balance of probabilities, though he continues to deny the allegation and is appealing the ruling.

Ms Higgins purchased a French chateau in Lunas in 2023 after the compensation payout, but has since listed the property for sale.

She said she retained around $1.9 million after fees and taxes. Proceeds from the sale will go toward covering costs related to a defamation lawsuit filed by former Liberal senator Linda Reynolds.

The appearance at the Conversations That Matter event follows Ms Higgins’ return to the workforce.

She is now Director of Public Affairs at public relations agency Third Hemisphere, where her husband also works.

The couple recently celebrated their one-year wedding anniversary. They plan to settle in Melbourne’s east.