Australian Lawmaker Allegedly Drugged And Sexually Assaulted

An Australian Member of Parliament (MP) revealed that she experienced being drugged and sexually assaulted while out one night. Brittany Lauga, who serves as the assistant minister for health, disclosed this incident on Instagram, stating it occurred during her time in Yeppoon, her constituency.

Lauga emphasized the commonality of such attacks, remarking, “This could have occurred to anyone, and unfortunately, it does happen to many of us.” She reported the assault to the police and sought medical help on April 28, with authorities in Australia now investigating the matter.

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Tests conducted at the hospital confirmed the presence of drugs in her system, which she did not ingest. Lauga stressed the significant impact of the drugs on her and noted that other women had reached out to her suspecting they had been drugged too.

She underscored the unacceptability of such incidents and highlighted the importance of feeling safe while socializing. The Queensland Police Service confirmed an ongoing investigation into a sexual assault complaint related to the Yeppoon incident, urging anyone with relevant information to come forward.

Responding to the allegations, Queensland Housing Minister Meaghan Scanlon denounced the incident as “shocking” and “horrifying.” She reiterated the government’s dedication to addressing gender-based violence and ensuring women’s safety.

This incident contributes to the recent surge in prominent cases of gender-based violence in Australia.