Four years ago, I shared my first ever personal photo on then-Twitter.
It was of a woman I’d never met before holding a placard saying “Victims don’t lie, abusers do”. I’d added the caption “I will never stop sharing this message”, put away my phone, and continued on with my day.
When I checked the post a few hours later, it had accrued over 5,000 reactions and comments – even though I probably had a measly 10 followers at the time.
This surprising response spoke unmistakably to the strength of the message and the power of the movement swelling across Australia at that time.
This woman had been marching alongside me at one of the 40 March4Justice rallies taking place across Australia that day, and her placard had so strongly resonated with me that I’d asked her if she didn’t mind me taking her photo to share on socials.
It had obviously resonated with a few more people than just me. Women of Australia had clearly had enough.
We were beyond tired of the bullshit we were expected to just absorb in our everyday lives. We’d had enough of the subtle and not-so-subtle sexism we were forced to navigate in just the right way, or you could bet we would be accused of being hysterical, exaggerating, or imagining it all. Perhaps we’d even be accused of maliciously inventing it all, as if there is any benefit whatsoever in doing that.
Taking the stage at the march culminating at the steps of parliament was one incredible woman who had already experienced all that and more.
Brittany Higgins was well on her way towards becoming a force to be reckoned with in the world of media relations and public affairs when she was thrust into the spotlight in a way she never asked for, and at a scale she could never have imagined.
Working as a Liberal staffer, her life was turned on its head when she was raped (an allegation Justice Lee found was proven on the balance of probabilities in civil proceedings) by a fellow staffer in a federal minister’s office in 2019.
Brittany could have done what millions of other women have done – and that is their prerogative by the way – and quietly accepted the abject unfairness of it in silence. The odds are not at all stacked in the favour of victims who speak out, according to about a thousand research papers.
Reports show that one in four women will experience sexual assault, yet fewer than 5 percent of assaults are reported to police. This is due to a number of factors, but a large contributing factor is likely that an absolutely miniscule number of these cases progress through to an investigation, prosecution, conviction, or incarceration of the perpetrator.
Victims also routinely face insensitivity, victim blaming questions, and lack of true investigation by police through the process. In high-profile cases like that of Brittany’s, it’s not only the police who add this type of insult to injury – the media and public scrutiny quickly became an extension of the original abuse too.
So the easiest and most self-preserving path at this point for Brittany would have been to remain silent, according to the data.
To quietly change jobs, or even careers. To turn away when seeing his face in the paper or at events…
But instead she chose to take on literally the highest office in the country in her pursuit “to ensure the next generation of women can benefit from a safer and more equitable Australia”, as she stated in her March4Justice speech.
She put herself on the line – professionally, personally, financially, reputationally, and even physically – all in the pursuit of a more fair and equitable world for others.
She put herself on the line for justice.
The next stage
If you had told me back then that we’d soon be in a position to hire this incredible woman, I wouldn’t have believed you.
I’ve watched the incredible bravery of Brittany and other women like her unfold with deep admiration – Grace Tame, Christine Holgate, Antoinette Lattouf, Elaine Stead, and more.
While their experiences may all differ, the common thread is that they’ve all taken on far more powerful people, institutions, and pervasive societal beliefs; completely against the odds and at a deep personal cost. And they’ve done so with their eyes open, knowing they were about to purposefully enter a hellscape of retraumatisation.
For instance, when Brittany turned to her now-husband David and told him her decision to come forward about her experience, she offered to step away from the relationship to protect him. They had only been together for a few months, and she understood the path ahead of her would be intense, public, and deeply uncertain. She’s previously said she didn’t want anybody to feel obligated to weather it with her.
He gently refused, recognising that standing with her wasn’t a burden, but a choice rooted in conviction. He quickly embraced his new role as her supporter, cheerleader, comforter and, eventually, husband – even as it drew criticism and was at times weaponised against them both.
Working alongside David Sharaz in recent months, it is clear that his strength of character mirrors that of Brittany’s. I don’t believe Brittany could have had a better partner by her side to weather this unwanted storm
But more than this, they have demonstrated a media sophistication well beyond their years.
Together, they have navigated some of the most complex, underhanded, and politically-motivated media and legal battles against massive teams with huge budgets, with incredible grit and a keen eye for strategic advocacy and public affairs.
It is this type of strategic insight, composure under pressure, and lived experience that we’re proud to offer our clients – current and new – with Brittany now on the team. Her perspective is unique, her instincts are sharp.
Quite frankly, who wouldn’t want someone like that in their corner?
We hope that with Brittany’s guidance we will continue to help our clients employ this same courageous leadership in their own fields, whether that be in business, advocacy, financial markets, technology, sustainability, or any other industry.
Because it is only with courageous leadership – and driving national and global conversations that influence the thinking of billions of people – that we can reclaim truth and create a more fair and equitable society for all. And I can’t fathom why anyone would argue against that.
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