Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison has apologized to a former staff member for handling her sexual assault complaint after she alleged that a colleague had raped her.
Former staff member Brittany Higgins said she was not supported when she reported that she had been raped in the office of then-Defense Minister Linda Reynolds two years ago, Higgins said in an interview on Monday. the Associated Press reported.
Higgins said Reynolds questioned her story and had her meet in the office where the alleged rape took place.
“It 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, deeply regret that I held the meeting in my office where the alleged incident took place,” Reynolds said.
Higgins did not name the man she accused, but said he was fired for leaving her alone in the office, which is considered a security breach.
Higgins said she did not speak because she wanted to jeopardize her future service, although Reynolds said Higgins’ service would never be threatened if she stepped 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 at their best and can do what they did,” Morrison said. .
Morrison ordered that Parliament’s culture be examined and that new procedures be put in place to create a better workplace.