Sexual assault campaigner Brittany Higgins has accepted an invitation to meet with Prime Minister Scott Morrison, months after Australia first heard about her alleged rape inside Parliament House.
Higgins has spearheaded a nationwide reckoning of women calling out their abusers after she went public with historic allegations that she was raped by a fellow-Liberal Party staffer in 2019.
The PM claimed not to have known about Higgins’ allegations until they made headlines almost two years later, even though senior staff in his office, as well as cabinet ministers, knew about what allegedly happened to varying degrees.
“In the spirit of reform, I have publicly and privately accepted the Prime Minister’s invitation to meet,” Higgins said on Twitter.
“This decision wasn’t made lightly. However, things cannot be improved unless people are willing to come together and speak plainly about these difficult issues.”
In the spirit of reform, I have publicly and privately accepted the Prime Minister’s invitation to meet.
This decision wasn’t made lightly. However, things cannot be improved unless people are willing to come together and speak plainly about these difficult issues.
— Brittany Higgins (@BrittHiggins_) April 21, 2021
Back in March, when March4Justice protesters descended upon Parliament House, Morrison did offer the organisers a private meeting, which they declined.
He also said they should be grateful hat police didn’t shoot at them, so read what you will into the sincerity of his offer.
The offer to meet which Higgins has now accepted is more recent than the government’s initial stunt in March.
“While it’s disappointing that I haven’t heard from the Prime Minister’s office since they initially made contact on the 6th of April – I’m hopeful the meeting will proceed,” Higgins wrote.
“After two months, a national protest and countless other horrifying stories – the time for action is now.”
While it’s disappointing that I haven’t heard from the Prime Minister’s office since they initially made contact on the 6th of April – I’m hopeful the meeting will proceed.
After two months, a national protest and countless other horrifying stories – the time for action is now.
— Brittany Higgins (@BrittHiggins_) April 21, 2021
It’s not yet clear when Higgins and Morrison will meet, but when they do, let’s hope he finally takes the time to listen carefully.
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.
