New South Wales police could be forced to pay millions of dollars in damages to thousands of people who have been strip searched at music festivals over the years. The lead plaintiff in a class action has won a landmark victory after she was subjected to an unlawful invasive strip search in 2018. The 27-year-old has been awarded nearly 100-thousand dollars paving the way for potential payouts to around three thousand people.
00:00It's the largest class action against police in Australian history and a judgement with far reaching implications.
00:09And now we have a definitive judgement that says potentially that thousands of strip searches conducted by police are unlawful.
00:19During the case police admitted officers acted unlawfully when they conducted a humiliating strip search of Raya Meredith at Splendour in the Grass.
00:27She was directed to bend over naked, lift her breasts and remove a tampon.
00:32Today the state was ordered to pay her $93,000 in damages for assault, battery and false imprisonment as well as the conduct of police during the court case.
00:42Justice Dina Yechia found there had been a flagrant disregard for the rights of the plaintiff that resulted in significant harm to her privacy, liberty and dignity.
00:52What her honour has indicated today is that a drug dog detection or mere suspicion of a drug possession is not sufficient to meet those legal requirements.
01:03The judge also noted a lack of remorse, saying police had extended no apology whatsoever to the plaintiff.
01:09The absence of an apology is confounding.
01:12In a statement Raya Meredith said it's been harrowing and traumatising, yet at the same time I am incredibly proud of myself and my bravery.
01:20Now I would like to see justice for all in the class action.
01:24Justice Yechia ruled Miss Meredith should also be awarded additional exemplary damages for senior police's failure to ensure officers were properly trained to conduct lawful strip searches.
01:35She said she was convinced that police procedures had improved since 2018, but the amount of exemplary damages would be better decided after all those involved in the class action had had their claims determined.
01:47Lawyers are now calling for a settlement for all involved.
01:50Bring this shameful chapter of police abuses to an end and to negotiate a settlement for the remainder of the group.
01:58The police minister says strip searches remain a crucial investigative tool and police will carefully consider the judgement.
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