The Daily Aus Why police lost a strip search lawsuit
Oct 1, 2025
A woman won $93,000 from a NSW court after an unlawful strip search at a music festival in 2018. Strip searches, ideally reserved for exceptional cases, have surged in frequency, sparking public outcry. The case highlighted the humiliation and trauma faced by victims, along with criticisms of police training and oversight. The ruling could reshape future police procedures at festivals and open doors to broader compensation claims. Hosts discuss the implications of the landmark class action and its potential impact on policing practices.
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Legal Limits On Strip Searches
- Strip searches are meant for exceptional, serious and urgent circumstances, not routine festival screening.
- NSW legislation requires reasonable suspicion and necessity before officers can remove clothing.
How Strip Searches Differ From Pat-Downs
- A strip search differs from a pat-down: it can require removal of clothing and inspection of the mouth but not other body cavities.
- Searches should be by an officer of the same sex and only remove what is reasonably necessary.
Inquiry Found Systemic Problems
- A 2018 LECC inquiry found NSW Police frequently exceeded legal limits on strip searches due to poor training and procedures.
- Experts also documented psychological trauma often experienced by young people after such searches.