Petition · past parliament

Allow women to carry pepper sprays solely for self defence.

Rejected 21 signatures

What the petition asks

We are witnessing a rise in crime, especially against women.
In 2019 The Home Office published a refresh to its 2016 Violence Against Women and Girls Strategy which states that In the UK, 1 in 4 women will experience domestic abuse and 1 in 5 sexual assault during her lifetime.
There is an extensive history of perpetrators not being convicted, sadly because of this women now have a lack of faith in authorities and are left having to protect themselves.

The use of pepper spray is the best self-defence method because it is the least invasive due to its mild discomfort. When it comes into contact with a person’s eyes, it causes eye closure, runny nose, coughing and temporary blindness which can allow the target to getaway.

Why it was rejected

There was already a petition about this issue. Duplicates are rejected so signatures collect in one place.

Timeline

11 Mar 2021 Petition opened for signatures
17 Mar 2021 Rejected by the Petitions Committee

Key facts

Signatures 21
Status Rejected
Rejected 17 Mar 2021

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Source: the official petition page. Last checked 15 Jul 2026.