Stalking victims may be given permits to carry pepper spray

People who are being stalked or face serious threats may be allowed to carry pepper spray for self-defence, under plans being examined by justice minister David van Weel.

Pepper spray is currently banned for civilians under Dutch weapons legislation. Van Weel said last year, after the murder of 17-year-old Lisa in Abcoude, that he was prepared to look at legalising it so that women and girls could better defend themselves.

His ministry has since studied how other European countries regulate the spray and has singled out the Danish system as the most promising option.

In Denmark, people with a “special need for protection” – such as victims of stalking, women threatened by an ex-partner or those at risk of honour-related violence – can apply to the police for a permit to carry it.

Van Weel has ruled out making pepper spray legal for everyone, telling MPs that research points to “significant risks”, including attackers grabbing the spray and using it against victims, and inexperienced users spraying themselves.

“No one should be made responsible for their own safety,” the minister said. “The priority remains tackling perpetrators, protecting victims and prevention.”

Victim support organisation Slachtofferhulp Nederland said feeling safer is not the same as being safer, and urged the cabinet to focus on measures that actually reduce stalking and threats.

Feminist action group Dolle Minas said the government should tackle the source of the problem instead. “I don’t think you should fight violence with violence,” spokeswoman Lidewij Baart told broadcaster NOS.

Van Weel will now consult Danish and Dutch experts on whether the permit system would work in the Netherlands. The cabinet is also setting up a national coordinator for violence against women and domestic violence.