Eggshell Skull

Insightful and moving. Absolutely nails the pace. The tension stretches you onto the next page. Also gets the reveal plotted perfectly. I really liked it (even if I ended up wanting to apologise for the whole of the male gender). ( )

I devoured this book in two sittings, Bri's story is a powerful one, one that will stay with me for a long time. I really do emplore you all to read it, her message is so very, very important. ( )

In this searingly honest and revealing memoir, Bri Lee shares her personal journey as she pursues justice after reporting a childhood sexual assault.

After graduating from the University of Queensland with a degree in law, Bri is one of the lucky few to gain a year long position as an associate for a District Judge. The position involves the pair traveling between Brisbane and regional areas of Queensland to adjudicate cases in courts who do not have a full time Judge. Bri is excited for the opportunity, but with each case becomes increasingly disillusioned by the justice system which seems to be particularly weighted against women and children who are victims of sexual violence. The victims experiences resonate with Bri because she was molested as a child by a friend of her older brother.

Bri had never felt able to reveal the abuse, instead filtering her emotional pain and confusion through cutting, bulimia, and self-loathing, which increased during her time as an Associate. Despite witnessing the repeated failures of the system, Bri is infused with the courage to finally report her experience, in part recognising the advantages she holds as a complainant, a privilege she relates to the Eggshell Skull doctrine.

I’ve seen some criticism levelled at this book because of that privilege, however none of it negates her experience as a victim, or a survivor. Bri’s journey is intensely personal, as it is for all those who experience sexual violence, but she is in an unique position to highlight the justice system’s flaws and inequities, not only in relation to her own case, but also how that might translate into the cases of others.

I found Eggshell Skull compelling reading that stirred a range of emotions from fury, to despair, to hope, and admiration, and everything in between. There is still so much fighting to do.

“In Queensland an estimated 30,000 sexual assaults occur each year, yet in 2017, just 4751 sex crimes were officially reported to police. Around half that number proceeded to trial (2446 cases) but of them, only 835 resulted in a guilty verdict. Of the 835 perpetrators found guilty of sex offences in Queensland in 2017, roughly half — 44 per cent — were released straight back on to the streets with a mere slap on the wrist, such as a fine, a community service order or a suspended sentence....Perpetrators who did go to jail also received very brief sentences.” - Queensland is Australia’s worst state for sexual abuse survivors to find justice - Nina Funnell, News.com.au, December 13th 2018 ( )

Heartbreaking

Very readable but extremely discomfiting to read

Bravo to Bri Lee for all she survived, and for telling her story, and the stories of the other women contained herein.

This book has triggers aplenty. If you can tolerate them I highly recommend it. ( )