Over 100,000 folks have been invited to take part in a landmark class motion lawsuit stemming from controversial strip-searches at varied music festivals in New South Wales, Legal professionals Weekly stories.
The go well with was collectively filed within the Supreme Courtroom of New South Wales again in July 2022 by Redfern Authorized Centre and Slater and Gordon Legal professionals, whose representatives are difficult the legality of strip-searches carried out by NSW regulation enforcement officers at varied festivals between 2016 and 2022.
Based on a press launch issued on the time by Redfern Authorized Centre, police carried out “unlawful acts including assault, battery and false imprisonment against festivalgoers while searching them for illicit substances,” together with minors. Some attendees, the agency stated, alleged they have been directed by officers “to lift or remove items of clothing, lift their breasts or genitals, or strip naked and squat and cough so officers could visually inspect body cavities.”
The lawsuit’s lead plaintiff, Raya Meredith, claimed she was subjected to an “invasive” strip-search by the NSW Police Drive on the 2018 Splendour within the Grass music pageant. The ordeal lasted roughly half-hour, she instructed Redfern Authorized Centre.
“Our investigations show that invasive and unlawful police searches at NSW festivals have become routine, resulting in very few charges, but leaving thousands of young people and minors humiliated and severely traumatized,” stated Redfern’s senior police accountability solicitor, Samantha Lee.
Authorized representatives from the NSW authorities had unsuccessfully filed motions to dismiss the go well with, citing inadequate frequent points amongst those that have been strip-searched, in response to Australasian Lawyer.
“The police are supposed to be there to keep people safe. But I was left feeling I could no longer trust the police,” stated one attendee, Becca, per Slater and Gordon’s web site. “I felt I had no way of making a complaint about an experience which left me feeling violated.”
“I was asked to take off my jacket and shirt and was patted down,” defined one other, Ben. “The officer also ran his thumb around the inside waistband of my underpants—his thumb was between my underpants and my skin. I just did what I was told at the time but thinking about it now makes me feel really uncomfortable.”
The prosecuting corporations have inspired potential plaintiffs to register for the category motion go well with and gauge their eligibility through a group member information. The trial is scheduled to start on Could fifth, 2025.
