One example of where this is particularly relevant is in the conduct of room searches. At VIDC one woman describing a room search in which male officers handled her bras and underwear told the Commission, ‘I felt humiliated when the male officers searched through my things’. The Commission acknowledges that safety and security are always key considerations when undertaking any activity in detention, however, there are ways to achieve these things without sacrificing human rights. RECOMMENDATION 5 All staff working in immigration detention centres where women are detained should be provided with initial and ongoing training on the supervision of women in immigration detention and gender sensitivity. As a minimum, training should cover: a) the gender-specific needs and human rights of women in immigration detention b) the main concerns relating to women’s health in detention and, c) guidance on safeguarding women from any gender-based physical or verbal violence, abuse and sexual harassment including intimate partner violence and family violence perpetuated between or against LGBTIQA+ women. RECOMMENDATION 6 Women in immigration detention should, as far as possible, be attended to and supervised only by women officers and staff. Where this is not possible, the majority of officers should be women RECOMMENDATION 7 Gender-sensitive tasks (such as searches, use of force operations which involve physical contact or providing clothing or feminine hygiene products) or tasks undertaken in specific areas of the accommodation (such as bathrooms, sleeping areas and under observation) should only be undertaken or supervised by women officers and staff. RECOMMENDATION 8 The Department and Serco should, as a matter of priority, develop plans for the recruitment and retention of female Emergency Response Team officers and analyse what structural reasons are stopping women from applying and being retained. 30 Not just an afterthoughtThe experience of women in immigration detention