Higgins replies to dropped charges
BRITTANY Higgins has broken her silence after the charge against the man she accused of raping her was dropped.
The former political staffer took to Instagram on Sunday to post an infographic of the statement she made after the first trial against Bruce Lehrmann was ruled a mistrial.
“I chose to speak up … to speak up and share my experiences with others,” the statement said. “I told the truth – no matter how uncomfortable or unflattering – to the court.
“When I did speak up, I never fully understood our asymmetrical criminal justice system. But I do now. I want to thank the people of Australia who have rallied behind me, those who chose to attend the March 4 Justice rallies … and I want to thank the workers in our mental healthcare system, without whom, I literally would not be here today.”
Mr Lehrmann, who pleaded not guilty to a single charge of sexual intercourse without consent, was scheduled to front a retrial in the ACT Supreme Court in February.
It was alleged the offence took place at Parliament House after a night out drinking with work colleagues in 2019.
Mr Lehrmann denied ever having sex with Ms Higgins. He faced trial this year but the jury was discharged in October after misconduct of one of the jurors was uncovered.
Lawyers for Mr Lehrmann on Sunday said they would not be commenting at this time.
On Friday, ACT Director of Public Prosecutions Shane Drumgold confirmed Mr Lehrmann would not face a retrial after he used his discretion to drop the rape case against him due to the “unacceptable” risk to Ms Higgins’ life.
Ms Higgins is undergoing mental health treatment in a Queensland-based hospital.
It comes as news.com.au reported lawyers acting for Ms Higgins are set to hold talks with the federal government over a million-dollar compensation claim. Mr Lehrmann is also reportedly weighing up whether to launch legal action.