Huge twist as surprise link between Brittany Higgins and ‘victim’s advocate’

A powerful victim’s lawyer who represented Brittany Higgins every day in court knew her boyfriend, David Sharaz, prior to the explosive rape allegations.

Heidi Yates, the ACT commissioner for victims of crime, made the revelation Thursday at a committee of inquiry investigating how the investigation and jury trial of Bruce Lehrmann was handled by prosecutors and police.

Ms Higgins alleged that Mr Lehrmann raped her in the House of Parliament in 2019. He has always maintained his innocence.

During his jury trial in the ACT Supreme Court in October, Ms. Yates was a fixture by Mrs. Higgins’ side – appear heavily in the news coverage of the case.

On Thursday, Ms Yates was questioned by counsel assisting the investigation, Erin Longbottom, about how she became involved in Ms Higgins’ case.

Ms Yates agreed with Ms Longbottom’s suggestion that she first learned about the rape allegations on January 30, 2021, after speaking at a community event.

Another speaker approached her and said he knew a woman who would file a sexual assault complaint that was “likely to attract media attention,” and asked her for a statement of support.

Ms Yates agreed but said she would not meet Ms Higgins until months later in April 2021.

Ms Longbottom said: ‘In April Ms Higgins went public about her sexual assault allegation and an interview was aired on that year’s The Project, and on April 26 you received an email from Ms Higgins’ partner [David Sharaz].’

Mrs Yates replied ‘Yes’.

Mrs. Longbottom continued, “Did you know Mr. Sharaz from his time as a local news journalist in Canberra?”

Mrs. Yates replied, “Vague, yes.”

The inquiry revealed that Ms Higgins’s current fiancé, David Sharaz, knew Ms Yates ‘vaguely’ from his days as a journalist in Canberra.

The victim’s lawyer then agreed that she had spoken to Mr Sharaz on the phone during which time he explained that Ms Higgins was seeking support in connection with an upcoming meeting with then Prime Minister Scott Morrison.

Mrs Yates had first met Mrs Higgins on April 27, three days prior to meeting Mr Morrison.

“Ms. Higgins has asked you for information about systemic issues facing victims of sexual assault,” Ms. Longbottom asked.

Ms Yates recalled that Ms Higgins sought advice on systemic issues related to sexual assault complaints, rather than advice on her own alleged assault.

“She talked about the issues she wanted to talk about, such as access and better avenues for victims to report, and timely therapeutic support… so we gave her information on those things,” Ms Yates said.

Ms Yates then recalled being invited to attend two meetings with Ms Higgins on 30 April – one with Mr Morrison and another with former opposition leader Anthony Albanese and Tanya Plibersek.

The hearing continues.