Pepper Spray Act to be Re-Tabled in Parliament

The Pepper Spray Act that was tabled in Parliament 20 years ago will be re-tabled at the next sitting of the house. Opposition leader Mark Golding says the court system needs to be more favorable towards women who are mainly the victims of domestic violence.

Opposition leader Mark Golding sought to bring the pepper spray act once again to the forefront. Mr. Golding says when victims of domestic violence especially females, go before the court, rulings are often not in their favour. He suggests a special tribunal be implemented.

He notes that these victims may be financially dependent or may have children who are depending on them, he adds that these factors make their situations more complicated. Golding states that a specialist tribunal is needed and also centers in every parish for women who are victims of domestic violence.

Under the Act which was tabled in Parliament in 2001, pepper sprays are not illegal. He says approval was given by the House for a private members bill.

In the meantime, while Golding supports mandatory paternity testing, in response to a request for a motion to be taken in Parliament for mandatory paternity testing, which has been linked to domestic violence, Golding says there is much more to domestic violence than paternity issues, such as anger management issues, behavioural problems, among others.

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