Second woman accuses ex-Liberal staffer of rape
A second woman has come forward to accuse the ex-Liberal staffer who allegedly assaulted Brittany Higgins of rape.
Another woman has come forward to claim she was raped by the man accused of sexually assaulting Brittany Higgins in Parliament House in 2019.
The Weekend Australian exclusively reports the woman, also a former Liberal party staffer, came forward in solidarity with Ms Higgins.
“If this had been properly dealt with by the government in 2019 this would not have happened to me,’’ she told the newspaper, on the condition of anonymity.
“I am telling my story because I want to support Brittany (Higgins) and I want to help shine a light on this awful culture.”
News.com.au broke the story about the then-24-year-old’s alleged rape on Monday, and in the days since, an investigation into workplace culture at Parliament House has been established. Multiple ministers — including Prime Minister Scott Morrison — have said they’re “shattered” by the scandal.
Ms Higgins last night revealed she was reopening the criminal investigation into her alleged rape.
In a statement, Ms Higgins said she has re-engaged with the Australian Federal Police and “will proceed with a formal complaint regarding the crime committed against me in what should be the safest building in Australia”.
“By publicly coming forward with my experience in Parliament House, I’ve sought to achieve two things,” she said.
“Firstly, I want a comprehensive police investigation into what happened to me on 22/23 March 2019 and for my perpetrator to face the full force of the law.
“The Australian Federal Police have made assurances to me that they will handle this matter thoroughly and transparently. I would also ask that they handle it in a timely manner as to date, I have waited a long time for justice.”
https://www.news.com.au/national/politics/second-woman-accuses-exliberal-staffer-of-rape/news-story/d20d092ab1afd886b3d6093d3fe7766b