The report ‘Rethinking Strip Searches by NSW Police’ was commissioned by Redfern Legal Centre and prepared by Dr Michael Grewcock and Dr Vicki Sentas from the Faculty of Law at the University of New South Wales (UNSW Sydney). The report makes key recommendations to change strip-search legislation in New South Wales to ensure better safeguards for members of the public and improved guidance for police.
A first of its kind in Australia, the report looks at the operation of strip-search laws across the country, exploring concerns around safeguards and transparency, and highlighting examples of best practice and opportunities for law reform.
Through comparative analysis and case studies, the report offers critical insights that will inform and enrich current debates on police strip-search practices in NSW.
The report follows a series of roundtable discussions convened by Redfern Legal Centre with a coalition of legal organisations to examine ways in which the legal profession can work together to address the overuse of police strip searches in NSW.
In June 2019, an open letter was signed by over 50 Australian legal organisations calling for reforms to NSW strip-search laws and the launch of RLC ‘Safe and Sound’ campaign (www.safeandsound.org.au) in November last year.
Launch details:
Date: Thursday 22 August
Time: 10–11am
Place: DLA Piper, Level 22, No.1 Martin Place, Sydney NSW
Speakers:
- Lucy Moore (a 19-year-old festival attendee who was strip searched, detained and banned from a public venue, despite nothing unlawful being found)
- Samantha Lee (Head of Police Accountability, RLC)
- Dr Vicki Sentas (co-author of the report and Senior Lecturer at UNSW Law)
Copies of the report and media release will be available at the launch. Samantha Lee, Lucy Moore and Dr Vicki Sentas will be available for interview.
For further information contact Finn O’Keefe, RLC Communications Manager: 02 9698 7277 | 0424 548 019 | finn@rlc.org.au
