Supplementary memorandum submitted by
Mothers Against Murder and Aggression MAMAA
I would also like to add another concern which
is a worry for myself and others that are working with young people
in schools. We have had sessions where teenagers, particularly
girls tell us that they carry a small penknife which their fathers
have given to them to keep them safe. Parents are just as worried
by the press reports and are arming their children in the belief
that they will be protected. In one case a 13 year old girl was
bought a pink penknife by her father. Her attitude was that it
was nice looking and pretty—we explained that it would not
protect her and she could either end up injured or dead herself
or within a second or so of pulling it from her pocket she could
become a murderer. A very clear message needs to be given to the
media about the hysteria they are causing and to the parents that
carrying a knife is not only dangerous but is illegal and their
child could face four years in a young offenders unit for being
in possession of a bladed instrument.
March 2009
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