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'Dangerous devices': Calls to ban spit hoods grow
BY ZIZI AVERILL AND AMANDA PARKINSON
The use of spit hoods on children in the Northern Territory has been thrust into the spotlight as calls grow to ban the controversial head covering in Australia.
Video: ABC
A spit hood is a device which is made of a breathable fabric and is used to prevent the transfer of diseases from spitting and biting.
What is a spit hood?
The spit hood is placed over the head and is held in place with elastic. However, if it is improperly used, there's a risk of inadequate ventilation and even asphyxiation.
An NT News investigation in February revealed that between 2018-21, spit hoods had been used 27 times in the NT, including on children as young as 12.
Use in the Territory
Video: ABC
The statistics also revealed the police station it was used most at was Palmerston (15), followed by Alice Springs (4) and Tennant Creek (3).
In April, the NT News reported that Queensland, the Northern Territory and ACT were the only policing jurisdictions to still use spit hoods.
Use in other jurisdictions
Elsewhere in the country, South Australia is the only jurisdiction to make using spit hoods illegal after passing laws in 2021.
Federal Greens Senator Lidia Thorpe said there was no safe way to use spit hoods and wanted them outlawed in Australia.
Quest for change
“
LIDIA THORPEFederal Greens Senator
The Greens have listened to the families and we are joining their call for a national ban on spit hoods and lethal chokeholds.
Change the Record co-chair Cheryl Axleby echoed the Greens’ call, saying spit hoods had been implicated in the deaths of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in custody.
“
CHERYL AXELBYChange the record co-chair
It is deeply distressing to learn that these dangerous devices are still being used on Aboriginal children in the Northern Territory.
Producer: Andrew Piva																																								

Original URL: https://www.ntnews.com.au/web-stories/free/nt-news/calls-to-ban-spit-hoods-as-nt-usage-revealed