Amnesty International Australia has made a submission on the Crimes Amendment (Prohibiting the Strip Searching of Children) Bill 2026.
Amnesty supports the Bill, which would prohibit the strip searching of children under 18 across Australia. Strip searching is an invasive practice that engages children’s rights to dignity, privacy, bodily integrity and humane treatment.
Evidence shows strip searching is frequently used despite less invasive alternatives being available, including body-scanning technology. The practice also disproportionately impacts Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, who are already significantly overrepresented in youth detention.
Amnesty is calling for the Bill to be passed and for children to be protected from strip searching regardless of where they are detained. A national prohibition would provide consistent protection for every child across Australia.
Amnesty International is a global movement of more than 10 million people who take injustice personally. We are campaigning for a world where human rights are enjoyed by all – and we can only do it with your support.
Act now or learn more about our human rights work.
