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smnthlejeune's review
5.0
'...the man I accused was presumed innocent, and so by necessity I was doubted.' (p. 286)
Being a law student in Australia, particularly a law student who is a woman, you develop conflicting feelings about the legal system itself. Right and wrong can begin to grey at times. You want so badly to believe in the justice system, that they will get it right. But, women are vulnerable and overpowered in a system which places doubt on their story due to a presumption of innocence, forced to re-live their trauma again and again in trials involving sex crimes.
You learn so much about the final outcome of cases, in an isolated courtroom, without the long process of getting there. The journey of the complainant seeking justice is forgotten. Bri Lee really pushes that home when you see how sex crimes in Australia (particularly QLD) are treated from both sides. How often the complaints of women are tossed aside in front of jury at the final stage AND the devastatingly long and difficult journey in getting there, and how rare it even is.
When I finally reached the end of Bri's journey and closed the book I felt like crying. The weight of the trial finally lifting but also the reality struck me that her journey and the journey of thousands of women in Australia will never end. There is a long process of recovery that doesn't end when the 'guilty' verdict is called, and particularly when 'not guilty' is brought down.
This is such a powerful memoir that really opens eyes to the reality of the legal system in Australia and how we need to do better. There are signs of improvement. The first female Chief Justice of Australia, Keifel CJ, was inducted at the beginning of last year. As I look around my lecture hall, I see an overpowering amount of women ready and capable of speaking up and fighting the good fight for women and children around the country.
At uni, some girlfriends and I actually made an unofficial book club.
Next goal is to get the boys to read it.
p.s. I don't know if it's ironic that the book which took me out of my reading slump, in between my legal studies, was a book about the Australian legal system.
Being a law student in Australia, particularly a law student who is a woman, you develop conflicting feelings about the legal system itself. Right and wrong can begin to grey at times. You want so badly to believe in the justice system, that they will get it right. But, women are vulnerable and overpowered in a system which places doubt on their story due to a presumption of innocence, forced to re-live their trauma again and again in trials involving sex crimes.
You learn so much about the final outcome of cases, in an isolated courtroom, without the long process of getting there. The journey of the complainant seeking justice is forgotten. Bri Lee really pushes that home when you see how sex crimes in Australia (particularly QLD) are treated from both sides. How often the complaints of women are tossed aside in front of jury at the final stage AND the devastatingly long and difficult journey in getting there, and how rare it even is.
When I finally reached the end of Bri's journey and closed the book I felt like crying. The weight of the trial finally lifting but also the reality struck me that her journey and the journey of thousands of women in Australia will never end. There is a long process of recovery that doesn't end when the 'guilty' verdict is called, and particularly when 'not guilty' is brought down.
This is such a powerful memoir that really opens eyes to the reality of the legal system in Australia and how we need to do better. There are signs of improvement. The first female Chief Justice of Australia, Keifel CJ, was inducted at the beginning of last year. As I look around my lecture hall, I see an overpowering amount of women ready and capable of speaking up and fighting the good fight for women and children around the country.
At uni, some girlfriends and I actually made an unofficial book club.
Next goal is to get the boys to read it.
p.s. I don't know if it's ironic that the book which took me out of my reading slump, in between my legal studies, was a book about the Australian legal system.
blepard's review
5.0
I learnt so much while reading this book; not the least of which is how much love, respect, and admiration I have for the other women and non-men who are riding with me through this unfair, unjust, and unforgiving world.
alycedawn's review
challenging
dark
informative
sad
tense
medium-paced
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, Child abuse, Eating disorder, Rape, Self harm, and Sexism
notveronicamars's review
5.0
This book pushed all the air out of my chest and kept me turning the pages until I finished (even if it meant bringing it to read in the line for a concert)
philippakmoore's review
4.0
A heartbreaking and harrowing book, but one that deserves to be on every bookshelf in the country. I found the subject matter very distressing and had to take breaks from reading it - no reflection on the quality of the writing at all. But this is not a book for a sun-lounger with a cocktail in hand.
The first half of the book is about Bri Lee’s time as a judge’s associate and the second is her experience of bringing charges against the man who sexually assaulted her when she was a child, resulting in a trial.
It is staggering, and devastating, how the legal system has failed so many women. I read today in an interview with Laura Bates (of Everyday Sexism) that men are 230 times more likely to be raped themselves than to be falsely accused of the act. And yet women are still subjected to a brutal, cruel system that assumes innocence and protects the perpetrator. What Bri Lee witnesses as part of the legal profession is so distressing and triggering that she finally feels strong enough (that feels like an understatement - this is a tale of enormous strength) to bring the man who assaulted her to justice. It’s a long road to justice, but she gets it...in the legal sense at least.
This is brave and raw storytelling. I applaud Bri Lee’s courage, and that of all survivors.
The first half of the book is about Bri Lee’s time as a judge’s associate and the second is her experience of bringing charges against the man who sexually assaulted her when she was a child, resulting in a trial.
It is staggering, and devastating, how the legal system has failed so many women. I read today in an interview with Laura Bates (of Everyday Sexism) that men are 230 times more likely to be raped themselves than to be falsely accused of the act. And yet women are still subjected to a brutal, cruel system that assumes innocence and protects the perpetrator. What Bri Lee witnesses as part of the legal profession is so distressing and triggering that she finally feels strong enough (that feels like an understatement - this is a tale of enormous strength) to bring the man who assaulted her to justice. It’s a long road to justice, but she gets it...in the legal sense at least.
This is brave and raw storytelling. I applaud Bri Lee’s courage, and that of all survivors.
davethescot's review
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
tense
fast-paced
5.0
Lee's storytelling prowess and raw honesty make this memoir a must-read. Highly recommend!
nix_jinx's review
dark
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
5.0
Extraordinary. Beautiful. Courageous.