In the national conversation, we have this passive, anonymous language vaguely talking about “wrongs done” as if sexual violence falls out of the sky. In a lot of cases, that seems to have meant trading off offensive, tone-deaf statements for a convoluted mix of appeasing weasel-words. Even beyond that, I’m worried what too many people beyond the government and the media took out of the events of last year was that we need to be better at talking about the problem. Or, worse, just a political perception problem neutralised and turned into a net positive. A raging current that would not be turned aside by tired old platitudes from fathers of daughters.īut I stand here today fearful that this moment of transformative potential, the bravery of all those women who spoke up and stood up and said “Enough is enough” is in danger of being minimised to a flare-up, a blip on the radar, a month-long wonder in the national conversation. If you go back and read articles from March 15, there was a sense of a national moment of reckoning. Nearly a year after the March4Justice made its way to the threshold of federal parliament, too little has changed. That’s what keeps me speaking out - my determination to drive change. And above all, I believe it will be easier for women to share their stories if they see it makes a difference in the workplace, in our national life, and in our parliament. I never wanted to be a spokesperson or a standard-bearer, but I do know that it’s easier to share your story if you recognise something of it in someone else’s. Everyone’s story of abuse and fear and betrayal and humiliation takes a different shape. Not for a minute do I imagine that I could. It’s become my whole life mantra right through the past 12 months - to make it easier for other women to speak - so while I’m very grateful to take the chance to talk at the National Press Club, I want to stress that I don’t pretend to speak for all survivors. And above all, I decided to speak out because I hoped it would make it easier for other women to speak out too. And for it to live up to their hopes and not betray them.

I spoke out because I wanted the next generation of staffers to work in a better place.

I made my decision to speak out because the alternative was to be part of the culture of silence inside Parliament House. Knowing that it would mean quitting my job and likely leaving Canberra, knowing it would mean subjecting myself to judgement, to vitriol, to political hit jobs and online hate. It happens to women everywhere.Ī little over a year ago, I sat down with my partner David, and I told him that I’d decided to speak publicly about my assault. If what happened to me can happen there, it can happen anywhere. The parliament of Australia is safe - it is secure - except if you’re a woman.

In a workplace that has a police and security presence 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. I was raped on a couch in what I thought was the safest and most secure building in Australia. Needless to say, Higgins and Tame didn’t buy it, and had a lot to say about Morrison’s inaction.īrittany Higgins’ National Press Club Address: They were responding to Prime Minister Scott Morrison‘s formal apology to victims of sexual harassment, assault and rape in Parliament, including Brittany Higgins, in Parliament on Tuesday afternoon.

On Wednesday, Brittany Higgins and 2021 Australian of the Year Grace Tame gave incredibly powerful speeches at the National Press Club.

Bravery network online grace