Police should generally not strip-search a child in school, except in urgent scenarios, and must have a valid legal reason.
Black children are disproportionately affected, being nearly eight times more likely to be strip-searched than their white peers.
A parent, guardian, or social worker must be present, except in cases of extreme urgency.
If a child has been wrongfully stripped, it is vital to report this to the police watchdog (IOPC) and seek legal support to challenge the search and protect the child.
The case of 'Child Q'—a 15-year-old girl stripped in school without an adult present—highlighted serious failures in protecting children's rights. Children's Rights and Legal Protections