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Youth Justice Act 2005
20Search must be by person of same gender
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20 Search must be by person of same gender
(1) The person or clothing of a youth must only be searched by a
person of the same gender as the youth and the search must be
carried out in a place and a manner that allows the youth privacy
from persons of the other gender.
(2) If a police officer of the same gender as the youth is not available
within a reasonable time, a person of the appropriate gender who is
not a police officer may carry out the search under the direction of a
police officer who must take the necessary measures to preserve
the youth's privacy and dignity.
(3) A person who carries out a search of a youth in accordance with
subsection (2) has, for the purposes of that search, the same
powers and the same protection as a police officer.