Strip search breached woman’s human rights

The Supreme Court in the ACT has ruled the strip search of an Aboriginal woman at Canberra’s jail in 2021 was illegal and breached the territory’s Human Rights Act.

Julianne Williams, who was being held on remand at the time, became distressed after her request to attend her grandmother’s funeral was rejected.

She was moved to a Crisis Support Unit in the jail, where she was strip searched in the bathroom by two female prison guards.

Ms Williams claimed her treatment was cruel, degrading, and breached the Human Rights Act.

Actions unlawful

As result of the incident Ms Williams was denied the chance to attend her grandmother’s funeral.

Lawyers for the jail argued the search was justified because officers feared Ms Williams may self harm.

But Justice Verity McWilliam said the actions were unlawful.

“I have found that the circumstances of this case brought about conduct that was unlawful under the Human Rights Act,” Justice McWilliam said.

Ms Williams plans to seek damages from the ACT government.