Australian judge finds staffer raped colleague in Parliament office
NBCApr 26
Australia: Government Staffer Found Liable for Rape
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Image copyright: Don Arnold/Stringer/Getty Images News via Getty Images
The Facts
In a civil case on the balance of probabilities, rather than the criminal requirement of beyond a reasonable doubt, Australian Judge Michael Lee ruled that former government staffer Bruce Lehrmann raped colleague Brittany Higgins in a minister's office in 2019.
Lehrmann was tried in criminal court, but his case was thrown out after a courtroom sheriff found one of the jurors with an academic paper on sexual assault — a violation of trial rules — and prosecutors declined to retry the case over concerns for Higgins' mental health.
The Spin
Narrative A
Lehrmann was lucky to narrowly escape his criminal proceedings, but he was so hellbent on publicizing his lies that he found himself back in the spotlight — and this time his true nature was revealed. Judge Lee rightfully exposed Lehrmann not only as a man attempting to hide his infidelity but one with no care for the well-being and dignity of women.
Narrative B
While the court has made its official decision on Lehrmann, this case should not bring joy to either side. The media was absolutely reckless in its reporting, particularly regarding the false accusations of a government cover-up. Sexual assault allegations must be litigated in government courts, not the court of public opinion, and Ten News violated that code of ethics.
