The State of NSW could potentially be forced to fork over millions of dollars to people who were unlawfully strip searched at music festivals after a woman was awarded $93,000 in a landmark Supreme Court ruling on Tuesday.
The class action was launched by Slater and Gordon and the Redfern Legal Centre against NSW Police on behalf of 3000 people who were strip searched at music festivals from 2016-2022.
Raya Meredith, who is the lead plaintiff in the lawsuit, was strip searched at the Splendour In The Grass music festival in July 2018.
The NSW Supreme Court on Tuesday afternoon awarded Ms Meredith $43,000 for assault, battery and false imprisonment as well as $50,000 for aggravated damages.
“I can say with absolute honesty that I am glad it’s over,” Ms Meredith said in a statement.
“It’s been harrowing and traumatising, yet at the same time I am incredibly proud of myself and my bravery, and the bravery of those whose voices back my own with their stories and experiences.”
It means that the court could award damages to other plaintiffs who prove they were subjected to unlawful strip searches.
Outside court on Tuesday afternoon, lawyers acting for the group said the judgment could render thousands of strip searches unlawful.
And they were now urging the State of NSW to settle with the remaining plaintiffs.
Read the full article published by the News.com.au on September 30 2025
