Brittany Higgins is ready to offer proof as the primary witness within the trial of a former Liberal staffer accused of raping her.
Bruce Lehrmann has pleaded not responsible to sexual activity with out consent.
Higgins alleges the incident occurred in March 2019 contained in the Parliament Home workplace of then defence minister Linda Reynolds after an evening out with Lehrmann and their colleagues.
Lehrmann is being tried within the ACT Supreme Courtroom, overseen by Chief Justice Lucy McCallum.
Throughout a police interview recorded in February 2021 and performed for the jury on Tuesday, Higgins mentioned she didn't instantly report the alleged rape due to the tradition of silence amongst political staffers.
Higgins mentioned she felt harassed, scared and embarrassed.
"I used to be shell shocked by what had occurred," she instructed police.
"I did not know who to inform, the right way to motion it or what to do."
Higgins described herself as being "actually drunk" the evening of the alleged incident.
She instructed police the pair had been at a bar after which nightclub with colleagues earlier than she and Lehrmann bought right into a taxi.
Whereas she initially thought she was on her method dwelling, Lehrmann instructed her he wanted to gather some work from Parliament Home.
"It felt prefer it was protected area for me and I did not say no to going to parliament," she instructed police.
"I did not have all my gadgets about me ... however on the time it did not appear unsafe ... it didnt really feel harmful."
Higgins alleges after the 2 of them entered Senator Reynolds' workplace she fell asleep on a sofa and woke as much as Lehrmann having intercourse together with her.
She might be questioned by prosecutor Shane Drumgold SC and Lehrmann's defence lawyer Steven Whybrow on Wednesday.
Drumgold flagged greater than 50 witnesses may very well be referred to as to offer proof through the trial, which is predicted to final between 4 and 6 weeks.
Among the many witnesses are Liberal senators Linda Reynolds and Michaelia Money, former Liberal MP Steven Ciobo in addition to different political and parliamentary workers.
Whybrow instructed the jury Higgins' allegations had not been examined or confirmed and Lehrmann denied having intercourse together with her.
"That is going to be an extended case. Higgins has mentioned loads of issues about lots of people," Whybrow mentioned on Tuesday.
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