Creator of
#JusticeShouldntHurt
&
#LetHerSpeak
campaigns
Winner of 2021 Walkley Award for Women's Leadership + 2020 Walkley Award for Public Service Journalism
I'm thrilled to share this news.
This is the book I've had in my head for the past 5 years.
It will be quite the ride, examining the fault lines created when survivor advocacy, media law, journalism ethics, & news values collide + exploring core q's re: Aus feminism today.
We're thrilled to announce we have acquired world rights to
@ninafunnell
’s book, Let Her Speak.
Nina’s book will offer a powerful mix of memoir, deep-dive investigation and rousing polemic, as she navigates the tensions around Australia’s
#MeToo
movement.
"Telling women to have ‘situational awareness’ is deeply unhelpful because it assumes that women aren’t already constantly micromanaging their own safety in a bid to forward manage the poor behaviour of some men." via
@newscomauHQ
Channel 7: Hang your heads in shame. It is now a fact at law that you harboured a rapist.
You gave him a national platform to smear his rape victim.
What message did that send his victim?
What message did it send EVERY other rape victim in this country?
#IStandWithBrittany
George Pell is dead.
Today I remember every victim and survivor of child sexual abuse who was harmed by him & every paedophile he covered for.
Today I remember all those victims who are no longer with us.
And I stand with all those survivors who still are.
#GeorgePell
Just a clarification to media.
LetHerSpeak was not a campaign which Grace Tame ran & I reported on
I created & ran it for 4 years, including the media, fundraising, legal & political strategy. I organised Grace's legal work & that of another 17survivors who Grace doesnt know.
What exactly did they think would happen when they organised this photo op?
Grace Tame is not the type to lie about how she feels. And nor should we ever put her in a position where she is expected to.
#LetHerSpeak
#aoty2021
#AOTY2022
UPDATE:Today, Linda Reynolds' lawyers tried to subpoena me - another survivor - in the defamation matter.
They told the court they had learned through Saxon Mullins' subpoena that I had drafted a fundraiser for Britt Higgins (yes, my involvement was already publicly disclosed)🧵
BREAKING: We are now aware of 14 individuals or organisations who have been threatened with defamation by either Christian Porter, Andrew Laming or Peter van Onselen (or a combination there of).
This includes the Older Women's Network - an organisation set up for the dignity /1
Today, I've written a blistering 1700 word analysis of how
#StAndrews
school has responded to the brutal death of
#LilieJames
, but also to previous cases where their students &staff were caught upskirting, sexually assaulting & even choking teen girls. /1
Let's remember that when
#LilieJame
's killer, Paul Thijssen started at
#StAndrews
school:
-the headmaster had recently downplayed a male teacher being caught upskirting 3 female students
-that teacher (who was a son of a judge) was convicted but allowed to serve his sentence (1/3
🧵Today I may be off my feet, but I STILL STAND WITH ALL SURVIVORS.
#IStandWithBrittany
Last week Linda Reynolds tried to subpoena me & Saxon Mullins (who she also attempted to drag into court, despite Saxon's existing court trauma) all BC we started a fundraiser 4 Brittany. /1
A NSW judge has minimised a man repeatedly raping his own 13 y o step daughter by painting him a "war hero" & saying he was merely "seeking comfort & affection in the wrong place".
#JusticeShouldntHurt
/1
So it turns out Scott appropriated a photo op which was to mark someone else's DEAD KIDS to make him look good on FATHERS DAY.
Total erasure of the context & deceased kids names.
Willful centring of his own parent-status.
Totally insensitive to bereaved parents.
HOOO BOY!
I just contacted The
@walkleys
Awards to ask them whether 2023 Walkley 'Scoop of the Year' Finalist
@Channel7
disclosed in FULL that they paid 1 YEAR RENT for
#BruceLehrmann
in exchange for an Interview (as is the requirement for all
#Walkley
entries).
The reply below
BREAKING: Linda Reynolds' lawyer is trying to pull Saxon Mullins into court. Saxon has nothing to hide, but has had to engage her own lawyers at her own cost - all for launching a fundraiser for a fellow survivor.
So now it's my turn to help Saxon! 🧵
Lehrmann's team are arguing that we shouldn't get to hear from a lip-reader (who has transcribed the CCTV footage) bc he is from the UK "and probably hasn't heard an Australian accent before, let alone a drunk Australian accent."
BAHA Do you know how many drunk aussies are in UK?
Bruce Lehrmann lodged this appeal on the actual eve of Brittany Higgins wedding day. Tonight she may (if following tradition) be separated from her partner & alone. She should be giddy & getting nails done. Instead headlines are coming out about Lehrmann. Think about that. /1
Perhaps on a more positive note, while I've remained quite private about my 3 year struggle with
#CIDP
& disability, I hope that being out of the closet helps raise some awareness about this rare autoimmune illness & - importantly - the life extending gift of
#plasmadonation
!! 🩸
I have interviewed well over 100 rape survivors - including many gang rape survivors.
I have read 1000s upon 1000s of pages of police statements.
I have seen graphic photos of brutal torture injuries
The 1 thing I find too distressing to sit with? Watching a CrossExamination
For anyone who is learning of these charges for the first time now, please note that Channel 7 was fully aware of these QLD charges at the time they decided to conduct and publish their softening interview /fireside chat with the now alleged serial rapist
#BruceLehrmann
.
Finally - FINALLY - the media can reveal that Bruce Lehrmann has been charged with two counts of rape in Toowoomba, Queensland.
For clarity, this case involves an entirely new complainant, with no connection to Brittany Higgins.
via
@newscomauHQ
Just a reminder to media. This is not "the Brittany Higgins trial".
Brittany is not on trial and is accused of no wrong doing.
It is "the Bruce Lehrmann trial". He, and his actions, are the only thing on trial.
Dear Brittany,
YOU are believed.
YOU ARE believed.
YOU ARE BELIEVED.
And Australia, hang your head in shame for how you have treated this young rape victim. Never again.
#IStandWithBrittany
#VindicationDay
BREAKING: Justice Lee has found that Bruce Lehrmann was "hell bent" in his "pursuit of gratification" and raped Brittany Higgins.
#IStandWithBrittany
#Vindication
UPDATE: In less than 24hours, with your generosity we raised a staggering $11,833. This will pay Saxon's legal & counselling fees. From here on, at
@SaxonAdair
's request, every extra dollar given will be forward-donated 2 the original
#BrittanyHiggins
fundraiser we started❤️🙏❤️
BREAKING: Linda Reynolds' lawyer is trying to pull Saxon Mullins into court. Saxon has nothing to hide, but has had to engage her own lawyers at her own cost - all for launching a fundraiser for a fellow survivor.
So now it's my turn to help Saxon! 🧵
On a completely unrelated note, divorced entirely from anything else going on today: all judges in this country should receive mandatory and extensive training on sexual assault trauma including how victims can respond in the immediate & long term aftermath.
This should include:
When I was 10, my friends & I were still playing with Barbie dolls.
Ten year Olds aren't old enough to watch MA movies, but you're willing to throw them behind bars where they will likely witness R rated situations/violence?
Neglected & at-risk children need support! Not cages!
When I was running the
#LetHerSpeak
campaign in Tasmania to overturn sexual assault victim gag laws, the Attorney General Elise Archer repeatedly REFUSED to meet with me and Grace Tame.
When Grace was named AotY her staffer contacted me, in a panic, asking for Grace's details.
Just a reminder that a real girl and her family will have years of trauma processing ahead.
It's important we respect that, instead of basking in our own feelings, pretending we are all in a giant cinema watching a thriller movie, cheering the rescue scene.
Today paparazzi turned up to Brittany & David's wedding. What a world we live in.
Now that Brittany has (consensually) shared some absolutely stunning images on her own Instagram, I wish to offer them & their extended families so much joy, love, peace & above all happiness!! ♥️
And now today, in a full circle moment, the Principal who was there at St Andrews when Thijssen was a Prefect, has nostalgically painted him as a
#goodbloke
and leader and urged compassion.
Sorry, but this is the problem in action. This is the cycle of violence.
Good to know where Kyle Sandilands draws the line.
Apparently a comedy duo *joking* about the idea of a powerful man (Trump) dying is off limits.
But interviewing men accused of *actual* violence against women (eg Andrew Tate) is AOK.
As are his own VAW jokes.
Cool cool.
When journalists report on violence against women, they are not saying violence against men is any less important. Saying "save the whales" is not the same as saying "fuck the dolphins".
BREAKING: the secret location for Bettina Arndt's "Presumption of Innocence" conference tomorrow has leaked... It will be held venue "Number 10" & the secret guest is Craig McLachlan🤮
Bruce Lehrmann's lawyer will give a talk called "& Justice goes to the best actress". 🤮🤮🤮
If Taylor Auerbach was a female producer who was asked to babysit an alleged rapist, who was left alone with the alleged rapist, only for the alleged rapist to introduce nudity & sex into the environment making the producer so uncomfortable they texted their boss "this is fucked"
be in hospital again for plasma transfusions (plasmapheresis) on Wednesday this week, and my pain body won't cope well if I am forced to miss treatment or if my symptoms flare.
So there you go.
I hope this is a good reminder that people online have worlds we don't know about &
We will never know how many rape survivors were on the verge of speaking out, who will now retreat permanently back into silence due to That Interview.
We will never know how many were on the edge of reporting to police, telling a friend, or calling a service - who now won't.
Scott saying "she's had a terrible life" is the most condescending, ignorant & utterly disempowering comment to make about
@TamePunk
.
Grace's whole message is that as survivors, we are not defined by our experiences of sexual violence.
#LetHerSpeak
Others impacted by these threats are also encouraged to make contact if they are in need of legal support
Thank you to the 3000+ members of the public who have donated to the
#Enough
GoFundMe.
The power of the collective is incredible to witness.
Conservative commentator & paedophile sympathiser Bettina Arndt has been banned from Fundraising platform GoFundMe after starting a fund in support of an academic accused of sexually harassing a student.
Ms Arndt previously published a 17 min interview with Grace Tame's rapist/1
Imagine the hypocrisy it takes to make a one hour episode of prime time television criticizing The Projects pre-interview style with Brittany Higgins, when your OWN pre-interview style includes paying for sex workers and cocaine for an alleged repeat rapist?
#Channel7
I'm not...
I wrote this back in 2013, when the
#StAndrews
School Principal, Dr Collier, urged "compassion" for the upskirting teacher. & I stand by it today regarding
#LilieJames
& the barbarism of her offender.
We need to talk about how violence is enabled & embedded in male privilege
EXCLUSIVE: Victoria has now banned ALL sexual assault survivors from speaking to media under real names in any case where the offender has been found GUILTY.
The
#LetUsSpeak
Victoria campaign is launching today.
Read:
Donate:
& for me, this is the kicker.
I've spent years learning & writing about those signs as part of my job.
As a teen girl, I had no idea.
But if I had a Principal telling me to show compassion for a teacher who was upskirting female students, I'd have even less of an idea.
#FFS
I want to give a shout out right now to all the sexual assault survivors out there.
Every one of you.
To those who, in this most difficult time, are spending their precious, limited energy educating others, tweet by tweet, post by post.
To those who are getting up each day
We need to talk about how brutality - including a cricket batsman smashing a woman's head in with a hammer - is an act of barbarism.
This is not a good bloke.
This is someone who was able to manifest the appearance of a
#goodbloke
for most folks around him, while terrorizing
Brittany Higgins has revealed that last time she was cross examined it resulted in her trying to take her life & spending a week in hospital.
This is the price of cross examination
Please everyone out there know support is available.
YOU ARE NOT ALONE. SUPPORT EACH OTHER
I have to say I was expecting that Auerbach would be a slimy, gross, boys-club producer.
I was surprised to find myself liking him, as he struck me more as a whistleblower and a man at sea who suffered significant moral injuries, inner turmoil and personal disgust in his job.
Brittany deserves peace. She deserves to be free of all of this.
No1 ever wants to be raped. & No1 wants to read the name of their rapist or think about their rapist on the eve of their wedding.
My god.
May we shower that poor girl in worlds of love & support.
Justice Lee: "Having escaped the lions den, Mr Lehrmann made the grave mistake of coming back for his hat"- in other words, he was not convicted of rape at the criminal trial due to jury misconduct & a mistrial, but in suing for defamation, he has been found (on balance) a rapist
Someone who should have been able to trust him.
This is not a good person 'who snapped'. This is not a good person who 'just' acted like a monster "for a few hours".
This was a monster. Who was very good at appearing otherwise. As most monsters are.
Unless you know the signs.
In what other rape case have we EVER been expected to reserve judgement after a conviction bc of the possibility there MIGHT be an appeal? Imagine if when Adrian Bayley was found guilty of raping Jill Meagher ppl responded "Wait!! Don't rush to judgement, he could still appeal!"
I'm so bored with men's apologies.
I'm so bored hearing how they regret hurting their *wives & fans*.
Just once, tell the woman you hurt WHY you felt entitled to send her an unsolicited picture of your genitals.
Pls explain to us all why u do this.
Short notice. So yes, let me be clear. I did not want to be sucked into any legal vortex - not bc I have anything to hide or have done anything wrong. On the contrary I am proud to be a survivor advocate that speaks up for others.
But I was in hospital over the weekend & will
I think it's worth pointing out that Brittany Higgins NEVER had to testify at this defamation trial.
She cannot be awarded any financial settlement (Bruce has already won multiple settlements).
All she had to "win" was the truth, but the cost of that would be her privacy. /1
Finally - FINALLY - the media can reveal that Bruce Lehrmann has been charged with two counts of rape in Toowoomba, Queensland.
For clarity, this case involves an entirely new complainant, with no connection to Brittany Higgins.
via
@newscomauHQ
For the past three years I have been privately battling a degenerative nerve condition called CIDP. It is the same degenerative nerve condition former Olympic swimmer Michael Klim has.
At one point I lost the ability to walk. There is no cure.
At 9.44am, on November 2, 2021, the OWN was threatened with defamation by Andrew Laming in response to a Facebook post which had been published on October 29. That post has since been removed.
Marque Lawyers are now representing 4 parties impacted by defamation threats.
#BetinnaArndt
has labelled Brittany Higgins a "scheming charlatan" and a "trainwreck"... Also saying that she predicted
#BruceLehrmann
would have no troubles under cross examination given his recent "smooth handling" of legal questions.
I kid you not folks
#JusticeShouldntHurt
I am so proud to have co-produced this story for 60 Minutes which will air this Sunday night.
It's an examination of how our criminal justice system fails rape victims. We look at cases where even when rapists have been found guilty of rape, they are not serving any jail time.
Hot tip folks: if you genuinely want an alleged rape survivor to feel safe & able to go to police pls don't:
🚨 host the meeting about that alleged rape in the room where it happened
🚨 Fail to ensure she has a support person present with her
🚨 Mention an election
🚨 Send her /
Rape is not an act of lust. It is an act of power & control. An act of dominance &/or sadistic thrill in exerting control over another & witnessing the deprivation of their agency & choice.
This act on the eve of Brittany's wedding is an extension of that control & violence. /2
"Seeking comfort & affection in the wrong place?"
The man was repeatedly raping a child, not having an extra marital affair with a consenting adult!
She also gave him bail with no restrictions on him being around children despite the fact he had already ADMITTED the rapes.
/2
@marquelawyers
Well, from a legal perspective, it resulted in nothing. From a personal perspective it opened old wounds for Saxon (who finds court & the threat of cross examination, distressing) & it also added significantly to my stress given I've been in hospital last week & again this week.
If anyone is unclear as to why a 26yo parliamentary junior didn't go to see a private clinical psychologist, please factor in that a standard cost is about $305 per session. Even a provisional psych is $151 per every 50 min session.😱
Federal court judges earl $450k+
#Lehrmann
Every 3 to 4 weeks I go to the cancer unit where I spend four hours on a machine switching out my plasma for donor plasma in the hopes it will slow my nerve degeneration.
I have had to move homes to be closer to hospital and my treating team.
I am on 24/7 morphine patches to
What the flying frack is this???
Channel 7 has PAID for Bruce Lehrmann's rent for 1 YEAR??!! The same Channel 7 who swore up and down that "no one was paid"?!!
Why didn't they declare this in full at the time? Why split hairs & claim
(Continued)
rights, & well-being of older women in the community.
Some of their recent work includes raising awareness of sexual assault in nursing homes, & addressing homelessness for older women, incl the 400,000 women in Australia over the age of 45 who are facing housing insecurity./2
This is absolutely horrifying.
When Senators threaten private citizens with defamation for choosing to question or critique them, we should all be worried about our
#democracy
Politicians have IMMENSE public power & parliamentary privilege which lets them say what they want.
Deal with the pain. I have had to cut back on my work significantly since 2021 as most of my life is now organised around appointments, waiting rooms, tests, results, hospital visits & so on.
I am mentally strong but my body is brittle & often I have to pull out of things at
To all those Australians out there struggling to pay rent right now, rest assured that
#BruceLehrmann
will sleep tight in his fully funded rent-free accommodation until JUNE NEXT YEAR thanks to Channel 7.
Makes you feel all warm inside, doesn't it?
What the flying frack is this???
Channel 7 has PAID for Bruce Lehrmann's rent for 1 YEAR??!! The same Channel 7 who swore up and down that "no one was paid"?!!
Why didn't they declare this in full at the time? Why split hairs & claim
(Continued)
-in the community (because
#priviliege
)
-meanwhile, Paul Thijssen was learning from his headmaster that girls should show "compassion" for the teacher
-at the same time, one of his cricket mates (from his year group) would go on to be charged with multiple sexual assaults
I'm a little behind in tweeting the
#Lehrmann
defamation trial today as I had to file a piece.
However the highlights so far are Auerbach revealing that BL wanted about $200,000 for the interview & 1 plan had been to pay it to cut-out man/ former Liberal staffer John Macgowan.
He has transformed a tribute to the deceased children into a tribute to himself as a father figure.
The context, and more importantly, the names of the deceased children have been totally erased in his post.
Here's the thing about consent.
It starts with the little things. When ppl can't respect basic bodily boundaries it's hard to imagine they have the leadership skills to steer the nation through a nuanced conversation of consent.
They simply don't.
#IStandWithBrittanyHiggins
Where our starting point is that we disbelieve them. We then interrogate them for hours on end, using intrusive questions designed to trip them up, humiliate them, exhaust them into submission and defeat.
And we call this our Justice System.
#JusticeShouldntHurt
Brittany Higgins has faced more trolling & online abuse than many of us could ever comprehend. Her mental health has taken a massive hit. Now she is being sued. She is selling her home, while pregnant. To donate to her counselling/medical & other fees go:
They told the court that I "would not cope" if attacked by Linda's lawyers (and yet they wanted to subpoena me anyway). That claim - that "I could not cope" - has been republished in media with NO explanation.
So, gather friends, and let me enlighten you all....
As a total aside, my heart goes out to all sexual assault survivors working at channel 7 today.
This must be so so awful to be watching all this unfold regarding your workplace. I can only imagine the dissonance.
Congratulations to
#GraceTame
who has just been announced Australian of the Year!! What a huge moment this is for Grace, but also for all survivors of sexual assault in the community. Well done Grace!! It's a privilege to have worked on
#LetHerSpeak
4 u & all survivors!
#AotY
Annie Jones was an A Grade student.
Finally, Annie's mum fought for her to be moved to the
#ChildSexualOffenceEvidencePorgram
Once there, a specially trained judge oversaw the case.
He was found guilty and jailed for 17 years.
/4
The ABC has announced that alleged sexual harasser Charles Waterstreet will be on the Q&A
#MeToo
special. They invited me 2 sit in the audience. Women do not need men to explain sexual harassment to us. Men should sit in audience & listen as women explain it. Get me on the Panel!
To all survivors. You are brave. YOU ARE BELIEVED. We will NOT abandon you. We will NOT be defeated by this. We will soldier on just as we always have & always will. Today is just one day. Truth is the child of time, and truth's time will still come yet.
To the woman at the centre of the Jarryd Hayne case: THANK YOU.
For standing your ground.
For speaking out.
For fighting through court.
For not losing hope.
For convicting a predator & rapist.
Stand proud.
Today, you are vindicated. Today We roar with U
#EnoughIsEnough
are diminished & erased.
I'd also point out that i'm a survivor myself. I ran this campaign to elevate *all* survivor voices & am disappointed when I see other media erase mention of my role, or worse, the other survivors in the campaign who also fought through court to speak.
Ok the Govt has announced a $925m scheme, so those leaving violence can access one off $5000 grants.🤔
Whose idea was this? How much of the $925m will be squandered on admin overhead & creating more jobs for bureaucrats trying to assess who is eligible?
How much hoop jumping/1
Brittany's words are so powerful.
This is real leadership. She is displaying integrity, humility and grace.
Brittany is also clearly calling for healing & calm.
For her sake, let's follow that lead.
#IStandWithBrittany
"Reynolds’ lawyer Martin Bennett asked the court for permission to subpoena Walkley award-winning journalist Nina Funnell to ascertain if she communicated with Higgins about a crowdfunding webpage to raise money for her legal fees and medical costs."
BREAKING: Justice Lee has found that Bruce Lehrmann was "hell bent" in his "pursuit of gratification" and raped Brittany Higgins.
#IStandWithBrittany
#Vindication
Grace didn't scowl at you, Scott, because she's had a "bad life".
She frowned because she doesn't like your spineless approach to handling sexual violence in Parliament house (& the country more broadly) & she's not going to pay empty lip service.
Grace's bravery is monumental & I am so proud to see all she has achieved since she came to prominence via the campaign (which i ran in partnership w Marque Lawyers)
When media rewrite history this does not serve Grace or the other survivors in the campaign whose contributions/2
An open letter to The Australian Media by the CEO of Canberra Rape Crisis Centre.
"CRCC have been contacted by media asking us to confirm things that relate to Brittany Higgins (which are) aimed at shaming, blaming, & discrediting (her)".
@OurWatchAus
Grace has always been very clear she doesn't want 2 take credit 4 anyone elses work. Likewise, I want her courage in fronting the campaign & her bravery in allowing us to take her case to court, to always be recognised, valued &celebrated
When media misreport they hurt us both.
It would be great if media could report accurately. There are all kinds of implications when they don't. I'm not talking about awards, or funding, or speaking opportunities.
I'm talking about the perception that this was an individualist campaign not a collectivist one.
BREAKING: Today I'm releasing a 3 year investigation into one of Australia's most depraved doctors. Thank you to the most amazing survivor, Kaye Maher.
Kaye has waited 46yrs to speak out in full.
#LetHerSpeak
Now Annie & her mum Tracey Morris have joined
#JusticeShouldntHurt
to fight to ensure ALL children in NSW can access that program if they need it.
At the moment only 2 (of about 200) courts in NSW have the program.
/5
BREAKING: The Tasmanian Govt has revealed that they will amend sexual assault victim gag laws so that victims can speak if:
-18 yrs old +
-consent to be named
-have capacity to consent
-provide consent in writing
-no coercion.
We won!
#LetHerSpeak
@marquelawyers
@EROCAustralia
& I am disturbed by the language which has been used to suggest he was a
#niceguy
who 'simply snapped' . Others have sought to apportion blame to everything from "pornography" to "Covid isolation."
The fact is this man did exactly what he planned, in a calm organised fashion.
It's so wonderful little Cleo has been found alive.
But this isn't about how *we* the public feel. That little girl & her family will have years of healing ahead...long after the media cycle has moved on from their 'feel good' moment.
We'd be wise 2 remember & acknowledge that
She (
@TamePunk
) is entirely incorruptible.
Her good opinion is not for sale, and she won't be seduced by politics or power. Canberra has no idea what to do with her as a result.
It's quite spectacular to see, really.
#sideeye
#auspol