Brittany Higgins expressed immense relief following the Federal Court’s decision to uphold a previous ruling against Bruce Lehrmann, who lost his appeal in a high-profile defamation case. The court found that Lehrmann had, on the balance of probabilities, raped Higgins in Parliament House in 2019 after a night out. This ruling confirms a significant legal victory for Higgins, who has long sought justice after coming forward with her allegations.
In April 2024, Justice Michael Lee determined that Lehrmann’s actions warranted a defamation ruling against him after he sued Network Ten and journalist Lisa Wilkinson regarding an interview Higgins gave on The Project in 2021. During this interview, Higgins publicly detailed her experience of sexual assault, leading to the legal battle.
Following the appeal’s outcome, Higgins took to social media to share her feelings. “Finally, it feels like I can breathe again,” she wrote on Instagram, expressing gratitude towards the court. She emphasized that while the case appeared to be a defamation issue, it mirrored a rape trial, highlighting the trauma involved in her fight for justice.
Higgins continued, “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.” She pointed out that this tactic has become increasingly common, particularly in the wake of the #MeToo movement, as perpetrators seek to silence victims through legal means.
Lehrmann has consistently denied the allegations against him. In 2022, a criminal case related to these allegations was abandoned without any findings. On the day of the appeal ruling, he did not appear in court and was represented by lawyer Zali Burrows, who stated that Lehrmann felt “overwhelmed” by the decision. Burrows mentioned that they are considering applying for special leave to contest the ruling in the High Court.
As a result of the initial defamation ruling, Lehrmann was directed to pay $2 million in damages, and he is now also responsible for covering the legal costs incurred by his opponents during the appeal process.
In a separate legal matter, Lehrmann is scheduled to appear in court on November 20, 2024, in Hobart, where he faces charges related to car theft. He has denied stealing a Toyota Prado in southern Tasmania. A warrant for his arrest had been issued on November 6, 2024, after he failed to attend a preliminary hearing. At that time, Burrows informed the court that Lehrmann could not appear due to urgent medical issues.
As the legal proceedings continue, Higgins’s case sheds light on the broader issues surrounding sexual assault and the legal challenges faced by survivors. The ruling may encourage other victims to come forward and seek justice in the face of similar experiences. For those in need of support, resources such as the National Sexual Abuse and Redress Support Service are available at 1800 211 028.
