Aboriginal teen resumes fight for female courtroom to view Wagga police station strip search video

The girl, known under the court-ordered pseudonym of Lacey, has argued she would face "extremely distressing" Aboriginal cultural shame if males were to view the video of her bare chest and buttocks.

The NSW Aboriginal Legal Service (ALS) has represented Lacey through multiple court applications and appeals around her efforts to limit how the video is viewed.

ALS Principal Legal Officer Nadine Miles said the Children's Court matter was now listed for mention next week to fix a hearing date.

"The ALS expects to list the matter for a full hearing of the issues in dispute. We understand the court is listing hearings late in 2021," Ms Miles said.

"Lacey still seeks a female only courtroom. We expect any required argument to be heard between the mention and a hearing date later in the year.

"We have argued on Lacey's behalf that the footage needs to be seen in full by the magistrate to understand the facts completely.

"We have argued before that the legality of the search was to be challenged. We expect those arguments to be renewed."

Lacey was 15 years old in March 2019 when she allegedly found a set of car keys and used them to take a vehicle and drive to a house in Wagga, where she was arrested.

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The prosecutor alleged that Lacey was seen holding car keys at the station and police decided to conduct a strip search with two female officers and Lacey's female support person present.

The NSW Supreme Court rejected Lacey's appeal last month but did find the Children's Court had the power to consider her request for a female only courtroom.

The Children's Court has yet to hear the charges against Lacey, which include four counts of assaulting police as well as car theft.

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