Were you strip-searched at a festival anywhere in NSW?
On 21 July 2022, Redfern Legal Centre and Slater and Gordon Lawyers filed a lawsuit against the state of NSW on behalf of people who have been invasively and unlawfully searched by police at festivals in NSW.
This landmark class action is for festival patrons who were unlawfully searched by NSW Police at a festival anywhere in New South Wales in the last six years.
Group members are seeking damages, which could be in the order of tens of thousands of dollars for those subjected to particularly invasive or distressing searches.
If you were subjected to an invasive police at a festival anywhere in NSW, we want to hear from you. To learn more register your interest
Am I covered by the class action?
The class action includes people who:
- Attended a NSW music festival held since 22 July 2016
- While at the festival, were strip-searched by NSW Police on the basis the police suspected you were in possession of drugs.
Learn more about key group members in the statement of claim
Read more Q&As about the class action here
Have you been strip-searched by NSW Police?
You may have been subjected to an unlawful strip search even if you were not asked to remove your clothes. A strip search may include any of the following:
- You were asked to take off some of your clothing other than outer-layer clothing like a jacket
- You were asked to show or move your bra or underpants
- Police looked underneath your bra or underpants
- Police peered into your clothing to see your bra, underpants or parts of your body
- Police put their hands under or touched underneath your clothing
Help stop unlawful strip searches
If you have been searched in an invasive manner by NSW Police anytime since 2014, we invite you to share your story and register your interest in the class actions investigation.
Share your story
Have you been strip-searched by NSW Police at a music festival? We want to hear your story. We encourage all people who have been strip searched by NSW Police at a festival anywhere in NSW in the last six years to register your interest in the class action.
By registering, you have the opportunity to tell us your story, and receive updates about the class action directly. Registration is free and confidential.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people can request to speak with a First Nations person if preferred.
How to register
- email: stripsearch@slatergordon.com.au
- phone: 1800 568 723
- or register online
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people can request to speak to an Indigenous person if preferred.
Further info
Music festival patrons launch class action against NSW police alleging unlawful strip-searches (The Guardian, 22 May 2022)
NSW Strip Search Class Actions Investigation (Slater and Gordon Lawyers)
Becca’s story: Strip searched at a festival (27 May 2020)