Although all research indicates strangers are only responsible for a small percentage of sexual assaults, this week’s horrifying news of a serial rapist-murder preying on young girls has women thinking about how to fight back.
Due to those concerns for personal safety and at the urging of citizens, the Food and Drug Administration announced it has assigned professors at Mahidol University to study possible legal updates to increase access to pepper spray.
Of the options available to Thai women seeking to protect themselves from life-threatening situations, pepper spray – that popular self-defense item of movies and television – has not only been off the menu, it’s possession can result in some serious jail time.
Owning pepper spray is punishable by 10 years in prison and a fine of THB1 million, according to the Hazardous Substance Act B.E. 2535, which is more severe than the punishment given to yaba-selling drug dealers.
About 30,000 women in Thailand fall victim to physical or sexual assault, according to Police Lt. Col. Chotwician Wichianchot of the Women’s Emergency Center.
He also suggested the legal code should classify pepper spray as a controlled substance because it only causes temporary eye irritation and allows the victim to flee.
The Mahidol academics are preparing comments and suggestions to draft the proposed changes, Komchadluek reported.
But it seems many women who would rather take a legal risk than risk their safety aren’t waiting – pepper sprays are commonly sold online by Thai e-tailers for under THB1,000.
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