Defamation is often used to silence women and the media speaking out on gender-based violence. Hopefully this decision deters such cases
In the much-anticipated cause celebre defamation case, Justice Michael Lee found that Bruce Lehrmann did rape Brittany Higgins. Finally, vindication for Higgins – and for Lisa Wilkinson and Ten, as they won the Lehrmann case on the defence of truth.
“The federal court has found that I published a true story about a rape at a federal minister’s office at Parliament House in March 2019. I sincerely hope that this judgment gives strength to women around the country,” Wilkinson said on the steps of the court.
