Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Ambrey: Cameroon-flagged tanker issues distress call following explosion abroad, approximately 60NM south of Yemen's Ahwar.
Araghchi: Iran adopted a constructive approach in its engagement to ensure the European Union and the E3 fully honored their commitments and lifted all sanctions.
Araghchi: After a year of Iran’s full compliance with the agreement, it began implementing gradual, proportionate, and reversible compensatory steps in accordance with its recognized rights under the deal.
Araghchi: Iran demonstrated the utmost restraint in the face of repeated and fundamental violations and made extensive efforts to restore balance and preserve the agreement.
In his letter, Araghchi stated: The E3 failed to fulfill their obligations and instead imposed additional illegal sanctions on Iranian individuals and institutions.
Araghchi: These coercive measures constituted a grave violation of international law and the UN Charter, causing severe disruption in the implementation of the agreement.
Araghchi: Washington initially refrained from fulfilling its commitments, then withdrew from the agreement, reimposed its illegal and unilateral sanctions, and even expanded them.
Araghchi: UN Security Council Resolution 2231 has expired and fully ceased to be in effect as of today, in accordance with its explicit provisions.
Iranian Foreign Ministry: Reimposing sanctions on Iran is illegal
Occupied Palestine: Israeli occupation forces raid homes during a raid on the village of Al-Burj, south of al-Khalil

Sexual abuse victims condemn Australia PM's 'shocking' response to claims

  • By Al Mayadeen Net
  • Source: Agencies
  • 9 Feb 2022 14:14
3 Min Read

Two prominent advocates for sexual abuse survivors slam Australia's PM, accusing him of using "weasel words" to tame rampant sexual abuse.

  • x
  • Sexual abuse victims condemn Australia PM's 'shocking' response to claims
    Sexual abuse victims condemn Australia PM's 'shocking' response to claims.

Brittany Higgins, a former government aide whose claim that she was raped in parliament caused national outrage, said "very little has changed" since she went public a year ago.

Higgins was regretful and caustic about the conduct of a conservative administration she had served in a nationally viewed address.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison's answer to her charges, which included references to his own daughters and wife, was "startling and at times, regrettably, a touch disrespectful," according to Higgins.

"I didn't want his sympathy as a father. I wanted him to use his power as prime minister," she said. "But his words wouldn't matter if his actions had measured up."

Higgins claimed that the national dialogue on reducing abuse, harassment, and assault had stalled at "changing off rude, tone-deaf utterances for a complicated combination of soothing weasel-words."

He was joined in her speech by Grace Tame, the 2021 "Australian of the Year," who also aimed at Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull's leadership over the past year. "It rots from the top," Tame said.

She added, "Unless our leaders take full responsibility for their own failings, abuse culture will continue to thrive inside parliament, setting a corrupt standard for the rest of the nation."

In Australia, the predicament of these women sparked national debate and introspection, as well as various government investigations.

Related News

French court to rule on surgeon who assaulted over 300 patients

Sexual abuse of Gaza detainees in Israeli prisons going rampant

One of them, the 450-page Jenkins Review, discovered that one-third of those working in Parliament and other federal government offices have been sexually harassed while there.

Read more: 1 in 3 Are Sexually Harassed in Australia's Parliament

Political pressure 

During her address, Tame added to the strain of the administration by claiming she was asked not to openly criticize the Prime Minister.

At a recent award presentation, she received a "threatened phone call from a senior member of a government-funded organization asking for my word that I wouldn't say anything incriminating about the prime minister."

Tame said the caller told her the Prime Minister "would have a fear... with an election coming soon." Australia's next federal election must be held by mid-May.

Due to prior engagements, Morrison was unable to attend Higgins and Tame's address, while numerous members of his government were present.

Morrison was asked about the progress his administration has made on the subject of women's safety in Parliament later Wednesday. Among other things, he mentioned a planned 10-year strategy for women's safety.

Higgins said the plan's "aims are so lofty and vague that it's impossible to disagree with and equally difficult to examine."

Tame has advocated for increased financing for consent education in schools. She stated that the government "plans to spend 11 cents per kid each year on preventative education" between 2020 and 2022. Both women ruled out any plans to run for political office.

  • Sexual abuse
  • Australia
  • Prime Minister
  • Scott Morrison

Most Read

Iran strikes secret Israeli-US bunker under Tel Aviv high-rise

Tel Aviv high-rise struck by Iran hid Site 81, secret US-Israeli base

  • Politics
  • 14 Oct 2025
Palestinian journalist Saleh al-Jaafarawi in an undated image in Gaza, occupied Palestine (Social media)

Gaza Palestinian journalist Saleh al-Jafarawi killed by collaborators

  • Politics
  • 12 Oct 2025
drop site

New report details extensive Israeli arson in Gaza after ceasefire

  • Politics
  • 13 Oct 2025
Illustration of fists breaking shackles, representing the liberation of Palestinian detainees from Israeli prisons. (Illustrated by: AL Mayadeen English/Batoul Chamas)

4 prominent Palestinian detainees to be freed: Who are they?

  • Palestine
  • 13 Oct 2025

Coverage

All
War on Gaza

Read Next

All
Residents remove debris from a house damaged by Wednesday's two drone strikes, in Kabul, Afghanistan, Thursday, Oct. 16, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Afghanistan-Pakistan negotiations to begin in Doha: Exclusive

Palestine Action wins court fight to challenge UK terror ban
Politics

Palestine Action wins court fight to challenge UK 'terror' ban

John Bolton surrenders after classified documents indictment
Politics

John Bolton turns himself in after classified documents indictment

GSF, GMTG slams EU over complicity in Gaza genocide
Politics

GSF, GMTG slam EU over complicity in crimes against Palestinians

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS