Michaelia Cash
Bruce Lehrmann
Documents described to The Age
entire jury discharged
Shane Drumgold
announced on Friday morning that the charges against Lehrmann would be dropped
“Whilst the pursuit of
justice is essential for both my
office and for the community in
general, the safety of a complainant
in a sexual assault matter must be
paramount,” he said.
“In light of the
compelling independent medical
opinion and balancing all factors, I
have made the difficult decision
that it is no longer in the public
interest to pursue a prosecution at
the risk of the complainant’s life.”
Ms Higgins has
faced a level of personal attack
that I have not seen in over 20
years of doing this work. She has
done so with bravery, grace and
dignity and it is my hope that this
will now stop and Ms Higgins will be
allowed to heal.”
published a statement on social media
and as well as the Commonwealth for a total of about $3 million in compensation.
The criminal case against , charged with raping Higgins while they were both Liberal staffers in parliament in 2019, was dropped on Friday but Higgins’ lawyers will go ahead with the civil case this month.
reportedly outlined Higgins’ lawyers notice to sue for sexual harassment, gender discrimination, disability discrimination, negligence and victimisation.
The compensation they will seek covers $2.5 million for future economic loss, $100,000 of past economic loss, $100,000 for general damages, $200,000 for future assistance with domestic duties and $150,000 for extra out-of-pocket expenses.
Senator Reynolds confirmed that she was advised of the lawsuit in March this year but that the proceedings had not yet been filed.
“I confirm that I was advised in March this year by Blumers law firm, who act for Brittany Higgins, of a civil claim by Ms Higgins against me and other parties,” Reynolds said.
“Blumers advised me on Friday that their client intends to progress the civil claim this month.”
The date for mediation between the parties has been set for December 13.
Lehrmann had pleaded not guilty to raping Higgins in Senator Reynolds’ office in Parliament House in the early hours of March 23, 2019 while they were both on her staff.
Higgins later left her job with Reynolds to take another job with Senator Cash.
Lehrmann’s original trial in October this year had to be aborted and the after outside material not heard by the court was found in the jury room, which meant the trial would have to begin all over again with a new jury.
The ACT Director of Public Prosecutions and a second trial would not proceed due to concerns for Higgins’ mental health.
Drumgold concluded by saying he had never seen such personal attacks levelled at a complainant in his career.
“
Higgins at the weekend and thanked her supporters but said it was “very obvious who has been on trial.”
Lehrmann has not yet spoken publicly since the charges against him were dropped but he is also contemplating legal remedies.
“He [Lehrmann] hasn’t had to be publicly accountable — for his actions or any part of his story,” Higgins wrote.
“This is the reality of how complainants in sexual assault cases are treated.”
reportedly Help is available. If you require immediate assistance, please call 000. If you’d like to speak to someone about sexual violence, please call the 1800 Respect hotline on 1800 737 732 or chat online . Under 25? You can reach Kids Helpline at 1800 55 1800 or chat online.The post Brittany Higgins’ Lawyers Will File Lawsuits For $3M In Compensation From Fmr Liberal Ministers appeared first on PEDESTRIAN.TV .
