Brittany Higgins was just four weeks into her “dream job” as a media advisor for the federal government when she was allegedly raped by a colleague back in 2019. The assault, and the way it was then handled by her superiors, stunned the public when it was revealed earlier this month. And, even more shocking, Higgins’ harrowing story isn’t a lone incident – with mounting calls for the Australian government to look into the issue of the toxic treatment of women inside the walls of Parliament House.
During an interview with The Project, the 26-year-old described her efforts to network with her new colleagues and fellow staff members of Defence Minister Linda Reynolds, when she invited a group of them for Friday work drinks in March 2019. Hours later, an inebriated Higgins found herself being ushered back to Parliament House by an older male colleague – whose identity has yet to be revealed publicly – under the impression they were there to pick something up before he dropped her home.
“It sounds so stupid. But you just think, this is Parliament, this is work. There are security guards everywhere. And you just naturally assume it’s OK,” she later told news.com.au. “I remember getting into the cab and I remember him shushing me at the security guards because I was super drunk. He had to get me through security so he was just like, ‘Shh, you need to be quiet.’”
This story is from the March 8, 2021 edition of WHO.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the March 8, 2021 edition of WHO.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
The Beckhams STORM after the PARTY!
AS POSH CELEBRATED HER 50TH, THE COUPLE WERE PREPARING FOR A NEW BOMBSHELL
Theo James - ALWAYS THE GENTLEMAN
THE ENGLISH ACTOR IS MAKING HIS MARK AS A NEW BRAND OF LEADING MAN
JAMES STEWART & SARAH ROBERTS - SECRET SPLIT
THE HOME AND AWAY COUPLE CONFIRM THEIR DOWN-LOW DIVORCE
MIA HEWITT - ALL GROWN UP!
LOOK AT BEC AND LLEYTON'S BABY GIRL NOW!
LOUIS TURNS 6 - PRINCE OF HEARTS
THE WALES' SHARE A SNAP OF THEIR CHEEKY BOY
ISLA FISHER - BACK TO WORK
THE NEWLY SINGLE ACTRESS WAS ALL SMILES ON THE SET OF HER NEW FILM
JASON & OLIVIA - FRIENDLY EXES
THE STARS MINGLE HAPPILY AFTER CUSTODY BATTLE
INES, ANGE & AN EN DURING DR AMA
BRAD PITT MOVES ON DESPITE A SEVEN-YEAR BATTLE AND NEW CLAIMS
Michael J. Fox - GOOD THINGS ARE HAPPENING
AFTER A TOUGH YEAR, THE BELOVED STAR REMAINS OPTIMISTIC ABOUT HIS FUTURE
Orlando Bloom - SHE DEMANDS I EVOLVE
THE ACTOR GIVES A RARE INSIGHT INTO HIS WORLD WITH KATY PERRY, THEIR CHALLENGES AND CHERISHED MOMENTS