NSW Government Loses Strip Search Case, Awards Woman $93,000: Festival Policing Under Scrutiny
In a recent ruling, a woman who underwent an unlawful strip search at a 2018 music festival was awarded at least $93,000 in damages. The court found that the woman’s treatment at the Splendour in the Grass Music Festival in Byron Bay was “humiliating,” leading to compensation for assault, battery, and false imprisonment. This judgement may have implications for a class action involving 3,000 people who were strip searched by NSW Police at music festivals between 2016 and 2022, potentially leading to $150 million in damages. Lawyers involved in the class action believe this ruling could render thousands of additional strip searches unlawful and are urging the state to settle with the remaining members.
John Q. Hosedrinker