Women soldiers in the Israel Defense Force will be issued tear gas in small aerosol spray cans to repel would-be rapists and others who might attack them when they hitch-hike to and from military bases.
The incidence of sexual assaults on women soldiers has increased recently. Recent statistics show that rape cases involving women soldiers which are reported to the police rose from 192 in 1980 to 277 in 1981.
General Headquarters decided to issue the “personal protection” devices in response to a question raised in the Knesset as to why the aerosol spray cans now in stock at army depots have not been issued.
An army spokesman said that initially 10 percent of the women in the IDF would receive the tear gas cannisters on an experimental basis. If used successfully, they will be distributed to all women soldiers.
Women in the IDF are employed in administrative positions and are not armed. The army encourages hitchhiking and uniformed personnel are almost always given a ride.
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