Brittany Higgins

Brittany Higgins is a former political staffer who alleged she was raped by Bruce Lehrmann in Parliament House. This allegation sparked a series of legal battles, including a criminal trial against Lehrmann that was ultimately aborted, and subsequent defamation lawsuits. Higgins is newsworthy due to the ongoing legal fallout from her initial allegation. Recent developments include Bruce Lehrmann's failed appeal against a defamation ruling that found he raped Higgins on the balance of probabilities. Furthermore, Higgins herself has been declared bankrupt following a defamation case brought against her by Linda Reynolds, her former boss. Her husband, David Sharaz, has also been bankrupted in a related defamation matter. Despite these legal and financial challenges, Higgins has expressed relief at the dismissal of Lehrmann's appeal, stating it was retraumatizing. The case remains significant due to its impact on Australian politics and the ongoing debate surrounding sexual assault and defamation law.