Queensland Labor Member of Parliament Brittany Lauga has claimed that she was drugged and sexually assaulted in Yeppoon, a town in central Queensland, last weekend. She also believes other women in the area may have been victims of similar attacks.
Lauga shared details of the incident on social media, stating that she went to the Yeppoon police station and hospital early on Sunday morning, 28 April, after being drugged and sexually assaulted. Medical tests confirmed that there were drugs in her system that she had not knowingly taken, causing significant effects on her health. A police investigation is currently ongoing.
Lauga mentioned that she has been contacted by other women in the week since the alleged assault, indicating that they might have also been drugged in Yeppoon on the same night, which is located about 35 kilometers northeast of Rockhampton.
A video allegedly depicting the assault on Lauga has been circulating online, filmed from across the street. Lauga became aware of the video just hours after reporting the incident to the police.
“This could have happened to anyone, and sadly, it does happen to many of us,” Lauga stated. She added that multiple women from her town had reached out to her, sharing similar experiences, emphasizing that everyone should be able to socialize without the fear of being drugged or assaulted.
Lauga indicated that she will take time to recover physically and emotionally from the incident and requested privacy. She expressed gratitude to those who have shown her support, thanking them for their messages, gestures, and kindness. She also encouraged anyone with information that could aid the police investigation to come forward.
Queensland police confirmed they are investigating the alleged sexual assault in Yeppoon, stating that their investigation is ongoing.
Queensland’s Deputy Premier, Steven Miles, noted that the government is providing support for Lauga during this challenging time. He remarked that nobody should have to endure what Lauga is experiencing and assured her that the government stands behind her, offering any support she needs.
Brittany Lauga, 37, has been serving in Queensland’s parliament for nearly a decade, having been first elected to the Keppel seat in 2015. She is also the Assistant Minister for Health and Regional Health Infrastructure.
