When we talk about domestic violence, we call it a women’s issue. When we talk about the mental load, we call it a women’s issue. When we talk about the gender pay gap, sexual assault on campuses, coercive control, the motherhood penalty… Women’s issues. Women’s issues. Women’s issues.
But look at who is committing the violence? Look at who is refusing to carry the mental load. Look at who is running the institutions that underpay women, who is sending messages in group chats, who is strangling their partners, who is calling women whores on live television, who is promising they are “one of the good ones” while their behaviour shows anything but.
These are not women’s issues. They are men’s behaviour. That’s why they cannot be fixed by just women alone. It’s time for men to step up. Women shouldn’t need pepper spray. We shouldn’t even be having this discussion.
2 days agoits_jackiel02
Yes. Women and queer folks should be allowed to own pepper spray as a defensive measure. Anyone who is against the idea is either a rapist, enables rape or is a federal agent.
3 days agom.johnston.igoe
Sadly the spray can be used against us and used on vulnerable people or even used on the police. 😥
3 days agobelinda_may
We need it in every state my state wont allow it so i carry something else ti protect myself and so do my daughters working late in city
3 days agokindflayer
We can advocate for vulnerable people to have the means for self defence without turning it into victim blaming, but it requires a parallel commitment to ending the causes of violence. We can’t just ignore men’s behaviour because women have mace now. Keep in mind this also makes pepper spray available to offenders. Israelis for example have recently been making a hobby of spraying random immigrants in the street for tiktok reels.
3 days agohiking_is_my_therapy_
100% yes. I know it won’t protect all women in all situations, it’s a huge issue, but give women something to redress the power imbalance when a stronger, larger man attacks her.
3 days agosa_much_fun
Having access to a means to protect ourselves does not diminish the need for systemic change. The fact that we still need systemic change should also not leave us open to further attacks. I already carry it in VIC and don’t care what the laws are, if the police are not protecting us I’m not going to sit here and deliberately not protect myself either
3 days agoruzjet
The problem is if you are in a situation where you are going to use it you are likely highly stressed and possibly shaking ect and already in close proximity of your attacker, whats stopping them from grabbing it off you and using it against you? This is the reason police tell people not to carry weapons in your car, under your pillow ect because its easy to imagine how much it will help you in the event of an attack however when put in a high stress environment they can easily change hands and work against you. To be clear, we shouldnt be having this discussion. Women shouldnt have to arm themselves due to fear of attack however this is where we are and I am in full support of women doing whatever they feel necessary to protect themselves. Just keep it in mind. If you do want one, buy a second one and have some practice shots with it in the back yard so you are confidant with how it works ect.
3 days agokidsmummas_wellness_annalee
Hey Ash! You read my mind.., it was on Hack ABC last night First… I didn’t know it was illegal. Second is… I want my daughter to have that and hairspray. And for us to feel safe and have a way to protect ourselves. I agree with you. My concerns are- why the F are we thinking to carry this?! That’s the problem we must address. Male entitlement, abuse, violence etc etc but that’s a long road. Women will be the ones facing court and disadvantaged for using it in ‘self defends’ and won’t be believed 🥹🥹 But we must take things into our own hands to protect ourselves. Lots of teenage girls are making their own gross mixtures for this exact purpose eg chilli, onion, garlic, pepper… 🌶️ 👊🏻👊🏻👊🏻👊🏻👊🏻👊🏻
More posts
