Advocates are calling for pressing reforms to guard sexual assault complainants from being re-traumatised by court docket proceedings and say the present system is failing ladies.
The announcement by the ACT's high prosecution lawyer that he would drop the case in opposition to the person Brittany Higgins alleged raped her in 2019 renewed calls to strengthen procedural protections for complainants.
ACT Director of Public Prosecutions Shane Drumgold introduced he wouldn't proceed with a retrial of former Liberal Occasion staffer Bruce Lehrmann due to the affect on Higgins' psychological well being.
He stated the continuing trauma related to the case offered a "vital and unacceptable threat" to Higgins' life.
"This isn't restricted to the hurt of giving proof in a witness field and relatively applies as to whether or not the complainant is required to enter a witness field throughout a retrial," he informed reporters.
Lehrmann was on account of face a retrial in February after juror misconduct derailed the primary.
He maintained he had by no means had intercourse with Higgins and pleaded not responsible to the cost of sexual activity with out consent.
Curtin Regulation College affiliate professor Hannah McGlade, who was concerned within the 2021 March4Justice protests, informed AAP the case highlighted how traumatic court docket proceedings had been for complainants.
Dr McGlade stated authorized motion may very well be revictimising and even abusive.
"This method is clearly failing all Australian ladies," she stated.
"This can be a main public well being difficulty resulting in, in lots of circumstances, long-term adversarial bodily and psychological well being situations for survivors whose wants aren't being met."
McGlade stated the present authorized system was not protected and collaboration between consultants, advocates, leaders and folks with lived expertise was wanted to develop higher processes.
"The overwhelming majority of ladies and youngsters who expertise sexual assault and rape won't ever see any type of justice," she stated.
"What we have to do is absolutely make investments considerably in addressing sexual abuse and assault in a extra complete method."
Greens senators Larissa Waters and Sarah Hanson-Younger stated Higgins had proven power and resilience and they might proceed to advocate for elevated protections for victim-survivors.
"To finish Australia's tradition of sexual violence, harassment and abuse we should begin by supporting victims to return ahead, and dismantling energy imbalances and gender stereotypes that deter them from doing so," they stated in a joint assertion.
"The Greens assist the work being performed to determine issues with felony justice responses to sexual violence and strengthen trauma-informed approaches and wrap-around providers."
ACT Lawyer-Normal Shane Rattenbury introduced in November he was contemplating legislation adjustments to permit recorded proof from a primary trial for use in a second.
The reforms would imply complainants within the territory wouldn't be required to provide in-person proof a second time.
A spokesperson for Rattenbury stated the territory authorities remained dedicated to the reforms "to make sure the constant therapy of weak witnesses who give proof throughout felony trials within the ACT".
Help is out there from the Nationwide Sexual Assault, Home Household Violence Counselling Service at 1800RESPECT (1800 737 732) and Past Blue on 1300 22 4636.