Hi all!
Thank you for coming..
I and I’m sure all of you have spent the past few weeks in fear and mourning.
Waking up each morning to the news of more women being attacked. I’ve spent this time going through a whirl wind of emotions, anger, fear, sadness and grief. I feel powerless and scared. With these overpowering new feelings I want to do something to feel in control again. To fightback. It infuriates me hearing these stories about women using keys, deodorant, hairspray and I myself am sick of gripping keys between my fingers on the walk home.
 
In Ireland the possession of pepper spray is illegal. Not only that but if a woman is caught with pepper spray or a tazer she would be charged with possession of a firearm.
This is a 5 year sentence.
I’ve spent the past two weeks emailing TDs to ask why this law could not be re visited in light of the gender based violence women in Ireland are facing. Pepper spray can at most only ever temporarily harm someone but that time might be vital in the moment.
The response I received was less than helpful, if I got a response at all.
 
I’ve created this petition as a place for people to support women. To give women the right to defend themselves against these heinous acts of crime that continue against our gender.
I want the government to reconsider the laws around women and self defence. I want women to have the right to carry pepper spray. I know more than just this needs to be done however something as small as this shows the clear bias in this country. Men have been allowed to plague our gender with fear and I’m sick of feeling scared.
I’m sick of clenching keys in my fists. I want to know that I have something to defend myself while I walk home.
 
I want the government to take a stand with the women of Ireland. I want them to finally let us defend ourselves. I want them to show this “Zero tolerance for gender based violence” that they apparently have.
If you also believe that women should have the right to defend themselves against these gender based acts of violence then please sign this petition.
 
Thanks for your support!