Body search, what is allowed?

**philipjordaan10** · 18-05-2023, 09:32

Good morning all

My daughter was body searched at school this morning. Apparently it was a routine search in conjunction with the school. Is this normal?

**Skaaphaas** · 18-05-2023, 10:18

How old is she?

**SLR** · 18-05-2023, 10:30

WTF, a routine invasion of privacy. Under what suspicion?

**DirkB** · 18-05-2023, 10:30

It is procedure yes. I am safety coordinator at my school and it is excpected of us to conduct random searches for drugs and weapons. We have to indicate at the end of the year how many random searches we have conducted. Girls must however by searched by a female educator and the other way around for boys.

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**DirkB** · 18-05-2023, 10:33

Originally Posted by SLR

WTF, a routine invasion of privacy. Under what suspicion?

When you complete the application for your child, at most schools, you also give them permission to do a drug test (urine) if need be.

With regards to the search, it 's nothing personal and it is not an invasive search, or rather, not supposed to be....

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**philipjordaan10** · 18-05-2023, 10:35

Originally Posted by Skaaphaas

How old is she?

She is 17. She was searched by two female SAPS members

**philipjordaan10** · 18-05-2023, 10:36

Originally Posted by DirkB

It is procedure yes. I am safety coordinator at my school and it is excpected of us to conduct random searches for drugs and weapons. We have to indicate at the end of the year how many random searches we have conducted. Girls must however by searched by a female educator and the other way around for boys.

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They were told that it was a random search for drugs

**Steven001** · 18-05-2023, 10:47

Since it happened this morning, and you all ready know about it, im assuming she phoned or texted you about the ordeal?

Did she complain about the professionalism in which the search was conducted, or anything that was "out the ordinary"?

**philipjordaan10** · 18-05-2023, 11:01

Yes she texted me.
She did not complain as such, but she is a very shy child and she was not sure how to deal with a stranger having touched her body.

**SLR** · 18-05-2023, 11:44

Originally Posted by DirkB

When you complete the application for your child, at most schools, you also give them permission to do a drug test (urine) if need be.

With regards to the search, it 's nothing personal and it is not an invasive search, or rather, not supposed to be....

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What happens if a learner refuses or fails a drug test?

I believe that children have their own body autonomy and should consent to a search or not themselves unless there is reasonable suspicion of a crime that justifies physically searching a minor. Everyone feeling anxious and violated for what reason? If its not invasive, then anyone with half a brain who actually has drugs won't be caught by it because they will have the drugs hidden.

"let people in authority touch you in order to go to school or avoid getting in trouble" is what it sounds like to me