Women Should Carry Pepper Spray For Protection

Wednesday 30 Mar 2005
Dr Muriel Newman
Press Releases -- Crime & Justice

New Zealand women should be able to arm themselves with pepper spray or mace to protect themselves from sexual predators, ACT deputy leader Muriel Newman said today.

"Admissions yesterday that nine rape cases in South Auckland, committed since Christmas, have yet to be investigated by the police is an absolute disgrace," she said. "Women is this country have a right to feel safe and to expect the police to react immediately to any reports of crime."

"This latest admission of police failure to protect women follows their delayed response to last year's 111 call from Auckland woman Iraena Asher. Ms Asher disappeared after police did not respond quickly enough to her call for help," Dr Newman said.

"It is clear that woman cannot rely on the police to guarantee their safety. Women should be free to carry pepper spray or mace to protect themselves when rapists are roaming South Auckland and I suspect other parts of New Zealand."

Dr Newman said she would propose an amendment to the Arms Amendment Bill (no 3) that would allow New Zealanders to use mace or pepper spray in self-defence.

The Arms Amendment Bill is expected to be debated in Parliament within the next two weeks.

ENDS

For more information visit ACT online at http://www.act.org.nz or contact the ACT Parliamentary Office at act@parliament.govt.nz.

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