Brittany Higgins Explains Not Changing Name Post-Marriage

Former Liberal staffer Brittany Higgins revealed in the documentary 'Silenced' why she chose not to change her name after getting married, expressing pride in her identity.

Thu Jun 04 2026

'Silenced' Opens Sydney Film Festival

'Silenced,' a documentary addressing violence against women, premiered as the opening film of the Sydney Film Festival on Wednesday. The film features former Liberal staffer Brittany Higgins, who disclosed her reasons for not changing her name after her marriage in 2024.

Decision to Retain Name

Higgins stated in an emotional interview within the film, "When I got married I had this opportunity to change my name but I didn’t because I’m really proud to be Brittany Higgins." She expressed hope that her story would become "just a footnote" rather than the headline of her life, indicating a desire for her past experiences to no longer define her primary identity.

*Source: The Guardian World (2026-06-04)*

Tags: #BrittanyHiggins #SexualAssault #Australia #Documentary #WomenRights