Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison apologized to a former employee for handling her sexual assault complaint after alleging that a colleague raped her.
Former staffer Brittany Higgins said she was not supported when she reported that she was raped two years ago in the office of then Secretary of Defense Industry Linda Reynolds, Higgins said in an interview Monday. reported the Associated Press
Higgins said Reynolds questioned her story and had her meet at the office where the alleged rape took place.
“That should not have happened, and I apologize,” Morrison said while also condemning the meeting in the same office where the alleged rape took place.
“I deeply regret leading the meeting in my office where the alleged incident took place,” said Reynolds.
Higgins has not named the man she is accusing, but says he was fired for leaving her alone in the office, which is considered a security breach.
Higgins said she said nothing because she wanted to jeopardize her future job, although Reynolds said Higgins’ job was never compromised if she came forward, according to The Associated Press.
“We need to do more, whether in this workplace or any other workplace in the country, to ensure that people can work safely in their place and be their best and do what they went for in that job” , Morrison said.
Morrison has been tasked with researching Parliament’s culture and introducing new procedures to create a better workplace.