‘Degrading and humiliating’ strip-searches should be banned in Australian prisons, advocates say

Human Rights Law Centre analysis finds more than 15,000 strip-searches are conducted on average each month, but just 0.58% result in contraband being found Follow our Australia news live blog for latest updates Get our breaking news email , free app or daily news podcast Strip-searches were almost “routine” during Sara’s incarceration in a Melbourne women’s prison more than eight years ago. A survivor of sexual abuse, she found being ordered to strip naked by guards deeply distressing. “It was very degrading and humiliating. I felt like I was being violated and exploited. I felt quite disgusting, but I felt I had no choice,” Sara, who did not want to use her full name, told Australia" class="entity-link entity-organization" data-entity-id="329" data-entity-type="organization">Guardian Australia. In Australia, support is available at 1800Respect (1800 737 732). Indigenous Australians can call 13YARN on 13 92 76 for information and crisis support Continue reading...