Australian of the Year Grace Tame has praised the courage of Brittany Higgins after the former Liberal Party staffer ended her silence on her alleged rape at Parliament House.
The advocate for survivors of sexual assault, particularly in institutional settings, was cited by Ms Higgins as her inspiration for speaking up.
"This case is another reminder for us all of the need for survivor voices to raise awareness and improve our collective understanding of sexual abuse," Ms Tame posted on social media.
"I stand with survivors. I am an advocate for normalising the conversation and breaking the cycle of shame.
"This is Brittany's story. Let us listen."
Ms Tame said there was more work to do.
"We all have a seat at the table. We are all still learning," she said.
Accepting her 2021 award last month, Ms Tame said predators manipulated us all.
"Family, friends, colleagues, strangers, in every class, culture and community," she said.
Sharing a stage with Prime Minister Scott Morrison, Ms Tame said every voice mattered.
"Just as the impacts of evil are borne by all of us, so too are solutions borne of all of us."
