The London Metropolitan Police have come under fire under they strip-searched a 15-year-old Black student at her school.
The incident took place at her school in Hackney, East London. “Child Q” was accused by a teacher of having marijuana in her possession. The teacher reported her and police then strip-searched her without an appropriate adult being present or her mother being contacted.
She was menstruating at the time. No contraband was found in her possession.
“Someone walked into the school, where I was supposed to feel safe, took me away from the people who were supposed to protect me and stripped me naked, while on my period,” “Child Q,” said in a statement via her attorney. “I can’t go a single day without wanting to scream, shout, cry or just give up. I don’t know if I’m going to feel normal again. But I do know this can’t happen to anyone else, ever again.”
Her attorney also released her own statement: “It is unlikely that Child Q would have been treated in this humiliating and degrading way had she not been Black. Child Q and her family are hopeful that the recommendations of the review panel will be carefully considered and implemented so that another child is not exposed to a similar traumatic experience.”
Before the strip-search, officers searched the child’s bag, blazer, scarf and shoes.
The Independent Office is investigating the case for Police Conduct (IOPC). All three officers are under investigation for potential disciplinary offenses over how “Child Q” was treated.
A spokesperson for Black Lives Matter UK expressed its disgust over the incident: “Once again, we are reminded of the fact that the police are the perpetrators and there are no lengths they wouldn’t go to inflict harm on vulnerable people.
“The horrific strip search of a Black girl at school is a clear example of why police should not be in places of education. While politicians have recently called for more police officers to be stationed in schools across the capital, children are being traumatized in spaces that should be safe.”
