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
Captives may be released as early as Saturday and by Monday at the latest: Source briefed on the details of the agreement.
Netanyahu set to convene security cabinet at 1500 (1200GMT) and government at 1600 (1300GMT) to approve the deal: Source briefed on the details of the agreement
Within the first 24 hours, the Israeli military will complete the first phase of partial withdrawal: Source briefed on the details of the agreement
Israeli military says it has begun operational preparations for the implementation of the Gaza agreement
Israeli media: The ceasefire will take effect today at 12 noon
Israeli media: Israeli military divisions have been ordered to prepare for a complete withdrawal or repositioning to the rear in the near future
Canada welcomes "Israel" and Hamas's agreement to implement the first phase of Trump's plan to end the war.
Al-Dali to Al Mayadeen: The presence of resistance leaders at the negotiations and the signing of the agreement, after "Israel" attempted to assassinate them in Qatar, is a humiliation for the occupation.
Al-Dali to Al Mayadeen: The agreement will be signed in the presence of Resistance leaders, led by Hamas, with senior official Khalil al-Hayya set to sign the agreement.
Trump to Fox News: I believe Iran is going to be involved in the peace situation.

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

Tucker Carlson speaks at a memorial for Charlie Kirk, Sunday, September 21, 2025, at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona (AP)

Tucker Carlson: Israeli officers gave orders on Iran inside Pentagon

  • Politics
  • 2 Oct 2025
A Hamas fighter in combat fatigues stands before the ceremony for the handover of Israeli captives to the Red Cross in Nuseirat, central Gaza Strip, Saturday, February 22, 2025 (AP)

Hamas responds to Trump plan, backs Gaza withdrawal, exchange

  • Politics
  • 3 Oct 2025
Mossad’s secret role in Aldo Moro’s 1978 murder revealed

Mossad’s secret role in Aldo Moro’s 1978 murder exposed

  • Politics
  • 5 Oct 2025
The Palestinian resistance and the people of Gaza showed that after combating Israeli aggression for two years, they remain victorious in the face of oppression (Mahdi Rteil/Al Mayadeen English)

Al-Aqsa Flood two years on, a tale of victory

  • Politics
  • 6 Oct 2025

Coverage

All
War on Gaza

Read Next

All
An Israeli armored vehicle moves on a street of a local market during a military raid in the West Bank refugee camp of Balata, Wednesday, October 8, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Israeli settlers kill Palestinian youth near Ramallah amid raids

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov speaks during the Moscow format consultations on Afghanistan in Moscow, Russia, Tuesday, Oct. 7, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Iran interested in resuming nuclear talks: Lavrov

International Monetary Fund (IMF) Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva speaks during a news conference at the International Monetary Fund (IMF) headquarters in Washington, April 25, 2025 (AP)
Politics

IMF head flags US budget, Europe Defense spending challenges

Prime Minister of Italy Giorgia Meloni addresses the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly, Wednesday, Sept. 24, 2025, at UN headquarters (AP)
Politics

Meloni faces ICC complaint over Gaza genocide complicity with Israelis

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