Brittany Higgins’ lawyer, Rachael Young, SC, has characterized Liberal Senator Linda Reynolds’ defamation suit as an attempt to shift blame onto those involved in Higgins’ alleged rape case, including Higgins herself. Young argued that Higgins’ alleged rape in Parliament House in March 2019 had a significant impact on the way gendered violence is addressed in workplaces across Australia. Reynolds, seeking to restore her reputation after facing political accountability for the handling of the rape allegations in 2021, targeted Higgins as the scapegoat for her own political demise. Young accused Reynolds of attempting to besmirch those she blames for her downfall by initiating the defamation suit.
Young emphasized the profound and lasting impact of the alleged rape on Higgins, stating that she continues to bear the heaviest burden as a result of the traumatic event. Despite Reynolds’ claims of distress and ill health stemming from the fallout over the alleged rape, Young argued that it was Higgins who suffered the most in this situation. Reynolds, a former defence minister, is suing Higgins for damages and aggravated damages based on social media posts that she alleges accused her of mishandling the rape case and silencing victims of sexual assault. In response, Higgins maintains that the substance of the posts was true and accuses Reynolds of using the media to harass her.
While acknowledging Reynolds’ distress over the political repercussions of the alleged rape case, Young asserted that it was unreasonable for Reynolds to shift blame onto Higgins, the alleged victim. Young suggested that Reynolds’ decision to sue Higgins more than two years after the incident was driven by a desire to deflect attention from her own role in the matter and to tarnish Higgins’ reputation further. By pursuing damages over publications made in 2023 related to the alleged rape case, Reynolds is attempting to discredit those involved in her downfall, according to Young’s arguments.
The legal battle between Higgins and Reynolds underscores the complexity of addressing issues of gendered violence and workplace harassment in the political sphere. While Reynolds seeks to hold Higgins accountable for social media posts that she believes defamed her, Higgins maintains that the substance of the posts was accurate and necessary to shed light on the mishandling of her alleged rape case. The Supreme Court proceedings shed light on the power dynamics at play in cases of sexual assault and misconduct, as well as the challenges faced by survivors seeking justice and accountability in political environments. Ultimately, the resolution of this defamation suit will have far-reaching implications for how allegations of gendered violence are addressed within political institutions and workplace settings across Australia.
