Documents Reveal NSW Police Advised To Film Strip Searches Despite Privacy Concerns

CONTENT WARNING: This article contains discussion of sexual assault. If you or someone you know is impacted by sexual assault, domestic or family violence, call 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732 or visit 1800RESPECT.org.au.

It's been revealed today that New South Wales Police have been advised to film strip searches.

The news comes just weeks after the NSW Coroner’s Court called for details from NSW Police regarding strip searches, including under what circumstances police are entitled to strip search patrons, during the New South Wales music festivals inquest.

As reported by The Guardian, documents have revealed that while an officer conducting a search should not film on their body-worn video camera during the search, their partner is to record using their own body cam. 

The document advises that “the support officer is to record the search using a [body-worn video] camera”.

It continues on to say the officer should “take particular care to ensure the person’s privacy is adequately protected” and that "a person’s privacy is not a sufficient reason to cease filming a strip search conducted in the lawful execution of an officer’s duty".

It was revealed by an expert at the music festival inquest that the trauma experienced during strip searches is similar to that sustained from sexual assault, regardless of the person is concealing drugs during the search or not. 

"They talk about how huge the effect can be emotionally, the anxiety, the fear, increased heart rate, sweaty palms, shaking and nervousness," said researcher Peta Malins. 

"They talk about how hard it was to answer the questions of the police."

A woman also revealed she was "treated like a criminal" during a police strip search at a 2017 Knockout Circuz music festival, saying an officer said "'If you don't tell me where the drugs are I'm going to make this nice and slow'," during the search.

The Music has reached out to NSW Police for comment.