Push for ‘victim advocates’ to support alleged rape survivors in court following Bruce Lehrmann trial

Former federal court judge says independent advocates needed to hold the hand of the victim-survivor at the time of greatest trauma'

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There are growing calls for a major overhaul of the way rape complainants are treated within the justice system in the wake of the Bruce Lehrmann trial, with a former federal court judge urging governments to appoint victim advocates to support women through the process.

Prosecutors in the ACT on Friday announced they would not seek a second trial of Lehrmann because of the significant and unacceptable risk to the life" of Brittany Higgins who is receiving mental health support in hospital.

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