In a significant legal decision in Australia, former parliamentary staffer Brittany Higgins’ rape claims have been upheld by a judge against Bruce Lehrmann, concerning an incident that occurred in Parliament House in 2019. The ruling, delivered on the balance of probabilities, determined that Lehrmann did commit the assault as claimed by Higgins.

The controversy began when Higgins publicly accused Lehrmann on the Channel Ten show “The Project,” though initially without identifying him by name. The case led to a criminal trial in 2022, where Lehrmann faced charges of sexual intercourse without consent. This trial was eventually halted, and charges were dropped due to concerns over Higgins’ mental health and the pressure of a retrial.

Following the criminal proceedings, Lehrmann initiated a defamation trial against Channel Ten, which concluded with the court finding that he had been justly characterized as a rapist in media reports. In his judgment, Judge Lee criticized Lehrmann for his dishonesty and also expressed concerns about the journalistic practices of “The Project,” particularly their narrative linking the rape allegations to a supposed cover-up and their management of evidence.

The case has resonated widely, touching on themes related to the #MeToo movement and the treatment of sexual assault allegations within political spheres. Judge Lee pointed out the complexities of the testimonies, highlighting inconsistencies from both Lehrmann and Higgins, and acknowledging that the full truth is known only to the two individuals involved.