A recent incident in Dundee, Scotland, involving the arrest of a 14-year-old girl who allegedly brandished bladed weapons to defend herself and her 12-year-old sister from a sexual assailant, has ignited public debate over self-defense laws and the protection of young women in the United Kingdom. The case, reported on August 26, 2025, by "La Derecha Diario" and widely discussed on social media, echoes a critical sentiment expressed by public figures like Arthur MacWaters.
MacWaters articulated a widely shared concern on social media, stating, "> government fails to protect young women (also see rape gangs) young women protect themselves government arrests young woman." This sentiment underscores a growing public perception that the state's response often criminalizes victims rather than ensuring their safety. Video footage from the Dundee incident reportedly shows the teenager holding a machete and her younger sister an axe, forcing an individual to retreat, leading to her arrest for carrying bladed weapons.
UK law permits individuals to use "reasonable force" in self-defense, but this is subject to strict interpretation regarding proportionality and the intent behind carrying a weapon. Legal experts clarify that while one can defend themselves, carrying an item with the pre-meditated intent to use it as a weapon, even for protection, is illegal. The prosecution bears the burden of proving that the force used was not reasonable in the circumstances.
The Dundee case draws parallels with other high-profile instances, such as that of Martyna Ogonowska, who lost an appeal in May 2025 against a 17-year jail term for killing a man who sexually assaulted her. Ogonowska had carried a knife for self-protection, and despite the sexual assault, the court ruled her actions did not qualify as self-defense due to the pre-existing weapon. These cases highlight the complex legal landscape women navigate when facing threats.
Reports from organizations like "Women in Prison" further illuminate the issue, indicating that a significant number of women in UK correctional facilities have experienced domestic abuse, with some incarcerated for actions taken in self-defense or under coercion. This broader context fuels the ongoing discussion about whether the current legal framework adequately supports and protects vulnerable individuals. The incidents collectively raise fundamental questions about the balance between individual right to self-preservation and the strictures of the law, prompting calls for re-evaluation of policies concerning violence against women and girls.