![What women want](https://cdn.magzter.com/1477022967/1677190628/articles/KYshJBPPA1677586852489/International-Womens-Day-Grace-Forrest-Elly-Desmarchelier-Brittany-Higgins.jpg)
LAW STUDENT
BRITTANY HIGGINS
on paying it forward
The truth is: most women either have a story like mine or know somebody with a story like mine. According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, one in five Australian women over the age of 15 has experienced some form of sexual assault. If you are a woman of colour, those statistics are even higher.
In 2021, it was moving to see women and men from all backgrounds coming together across the nation, taking to the streets and demanding change when it came to sexual violence. March 4 Justice and the national conversation about general violence was cathartic and saw the culture of silence fall to the wayside with an outpouring of disclosures from women who finally felt heard.
While 2022 was a year fraught with change and challenge, we saw consent education receive record- breaking funding, state legislative changes to affirmative consent, stealthing criminalised in various jurisdictions and the passage of the Australian Human Rights Commission’s Respect@Work recommendations for improvements to workplace harassment legislation.
Inversely, the past year highlighted the costs associated with coming forward for victim-survivors. We’ve seen in various high-profile cases how defamation law, the justice system and media reporting can still operate in sexual harassment and sexual assault cases to silence victims on these issues.
We know the majority of women who have experience gendered violence do not report their allegations due to shame, victim blaming and fear. In Australia it’s estimated that only 14 per cent of sexual-violence victims report their assault to police. And the reality is that even when sexual assault is reported, prosecutions and convictions remain unconscionably low.
This story is from the March 2023 edition of Marie Claire Australia.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the March 2023 edition of Marie Claire Australia.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
![BEAUT TALK MADELYN CLINERS](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/14340/1717581/ckL1dDp9K1720008233780/BEAUT-TALK-MADELYN-CLINERS.jpg)
BEAUT TALK MADELYN CLINERS
The Netflix starlet and Revlon ambassador talks makeup must-haves, a skincare-first approach to beauty and filming season four of her hit TV series Outer Banks
![FEELING BLUE](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/14340/1717581/m-V6-T_4e1720008095045/FEELING-BLUE.jpg)
FEELING BLUE
Adorn eyes with the season's trending colour. From delicate accents to bold silhouettes, here's how to best sport the piercing blue look
![SPOTLIGHT ON GARDEN OF YOUTH](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/14340/1717581/vqYH0pcEV1720007966615/SPOTLIGHT-ON-GARDEN-OF-YOUTH.jpg)
SPOTLIGHT ON GARDEN OF YOUTH
Can you really address the signs of ageing? Jurlique creates a potent new skincare range derived from plants that sets out to do just that
![MAN OF THE MONTH LUCIEN LAVISCOUNT](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/14340/1717581/UY2VnVtHc1720007796754/MAN-OF-THE-MONTH-LUCIEN-LAVISCOUNT.jpg)
MAN OF THE MONTH LUCIEN LAVISCOUNT
The British actor chats to Harriet Sim about Emily in Paris, working with his idols and unexpected style icons
![ELLY WARREN "SOMEONE'S GETTING AWAY with MURDER"](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/14340/1717581/rNOdT_mot1720007422070/ELLY-WARREN-SOMEONES-GETTING-AWAY-WITH-MURDER.jpg)
ELLY WARREN "SOMEONE'S GETTING AWAY with MURDER"
Nearly eight years after the body of 20-year-old Melburnian Elly Warren was discovered face down near a beach in Mozambique, her devastated family are still fighting for answers and to keep the unsolved murder case open.
![THE MOD COUPLE](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/14340/1717581/6X1rP4rtD1720007164246/THE-MOD-COUPLE.jpg)
THE MOD COUPLE
Colin from Accounts star Harriet Dyer talks about her marriage to Patrick Brammall, impostor syndrome and navigating mum guilt
![SPOTLIGHT ON The CHARMED LIFE](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/14340/1717581/1JbRukeYZ1720007088441/SPOTLIGHT-ON-THE-CHARMED-LIFE.jpg)
SPOTLIGHT ON The CHARMED LIFE
The launch of Pandora's latest collection heralds a new era for the jewellery house
![DESIGNER DOSSIE CAPE of HOPE](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/14340/1717581/aQIh1AI4N1720006993427/DESIGNER-DOSSIE-CAPE-OF-HOPE.jpg)
DESIGNER DOSSIE CAPE of HOPE
Louis Vuitton has stepped in boots and all to restore biodiversity in 5 million hectares of flora and fauna habitat. First up is Queensland's glorious Cape York
![POWER LIST](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/14340/1717581/mMn8khrQ41720005080130/POWER-LIST.jpg)
POWER LIST
They're breaking barriers in their fields, building megasuccessful businesses, battling discrimination and standing up for what they believe in. The game-changers in our Power List have made major moves this year - and are inspiring us to do the same
![The 1100km JOURNEY TO GET AN ABORTION](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/14340/1717581/xN99Bas861720004800885/THE-1100KM-JOURNEY-TO-GET-AN-ABORTION.jpg)
The 1100km JOURNEY TO GET AN ABORTION
As American states introduce more and more laws restricting terminations, a network of pilots is flying people across the country to get the healthcare services they need