Woman illegally strip-searched by police ‘reasonably thought’ officers would call her a liar, judge says
A judge noted that a woman who was illegally strip-searched by NSW police reasonably feared she would be labeled a liar during legal proceedings. The state is currently seeking to appeal a class action ruling that awarded damages for the unlawful searches.
Why it matters
The case highlights issues of police conduct, civil liberties, and the legal accountability of state institutions.
The state of NSW admitted in May 2025 to unlawfully strip-searching Raya Meredith at the Splendour in the Grass music festival in 2018. Photograph: Regi Varghese/AAP View image in fullscreen The state of NSW admitted in May 2025 to unlawfully strip-searching Raya Meredith at the Splendour in the Grass music festival in 2018. Photograph: Regi Varghese/AAP Australian police and policing Woman illegally strip-searched by police ‘reasonably thought’ officers would call her a liar, judge says NSW seeking leave to appeal against successful class action including aggravated damages of $20,000 awarded to woman strip-searched at music festival
The framing focuses on the victim's perspective and the state's failure, which is common in reporting on civil rights litigation.
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