Man charged over alleged death threats to Brittany Higgins, her fiance and their dog

A 25-year-old man from New South Wales, Australia has been charged with making death threats to former Liberal staffer Brittany Higgins, her fiance, and their dog. Higgins is a well-known national figure who was allegedly raped in Parliament House in 2019. The man has also been accused of making threats to local Member of Parliament Fiona Kotvojs. Police say they found a number of anonymous threatening messages on social media directed at Higgins and her partner. The man’s bail has been refused and he is due to appear in court. The threats against public figures are not rare, but this case has drawn attention for Higgins’ high profile and the context of her alleged rape in the Australian Parliament House, which sparked national outrage over the treatment of women in politics. The news highlights the need to address the toxic culture in politics and put an end to online harassment and abuse against individuals. The safety and mental health of public figures, especially those who speak out about sensitive issues, should be taken seriously.