New product designed to prevent rape
Steps have been taken to take a bite out of rapists.
A new device has been designed in South Africa to help empower women to defend themselves against the deed of rape.
The product, which has been given the name the Rapex, is device is used by women to help prevent rape and identify rapists.
Sonnett Ehlers, Rapex inventor and former blood technician for the South Africa Blood Transfusion Service (SABTS), said she first got the idea for Rapex when speaking to a rape victim.
“One young victim said to me, ‘If only I had teeth down there!'” Ehlers said. “Some time later a young man was admitted to hospital for getting his penis caught in his trouser zip and was in excruciating pain.”
Fueled by these comments, Ehlers went on to invent an anti-rape female condom that she said is inserted in the vagina of women who feel at risk of rape.
The condom is made of latex and contains small burr-like teeth that will attach to the tip of the rapist's erect penis.
Ehlers said when the man withdraws and becomes flaccid, it is only possible to remove the device by surgery, forcing the rapist to seek medical attention and thus revealing his identity to the police.
“It will make men think twice,” Ehlers said.
With the Rapex device raising the concern that the rapist may become increasingly volatile after it's use, many critics have been skeptical of the product.
“If a victim is wearing such a device it may enrage the attacker further and possibly result in more harm being caused,” Sam Waterhouse, advocacy coordinator for Rape Crisis, said in a 2005 MSNBC.com article.
Ehlers said the victim should still have time, when using the condom, to seek help in the event of an attempted rape.
“Sadly, many women have been killed over time, as nobody can guarantee the outcome of any rape,” Ehlers said. “However, the huge plus-factor is that the discomfort and pain is such, that the rapist would be disabled temporarily, giving you time to get away and get help.”
In a 2005 article, Robyn Dixon raised the issue that the Rapex condom is “a medieval device built on the hatred of men.”
“I don't hate men. I love men. I have not got revenge in mind. All I am doing is giving women their power back,” Ehlers said.
“I don't even hate rapists. But I hate the deed with a passion.”
Ehlers said the Rapex condoms will be available in stores where the regular stock of condoms are sold, and will be slightly more in price then the average condom.
It is not clear whether the device will be made available in Canada, however, further information on the Rapex condom can be found on the web at www.rapestop.net.
A new device has been designed in South Africa to help empower women to defend themselves against the deed of rape.
The product, which has been given the name the Rapex, is device is used by women to help prevent rape and identify rapists.
Sonnett Ehlers, Rapex inventor and former blood technician for the South Africa Blood Transfusion Service (SABTS), said she first got the idea for Rapex when speaking to a rape victim.
“One young victim said to me, ‘If only I had teeth down there!'” Ehlers said. “Some time later a young man was admitted to hospital for getting his penis caught in his trouser zip and was in excruciating pain.”
Fueled by these comments, Ehlers went on to invent an anti-rape female condom that she said is inserted in the vagina of women who feel at risk of rape.
The condom is made of latex and contains small burr-like teeth that will attach to the tip of the rapist's erect penis.
Ehlers said when the man withdraws and becomes flaccid, it is only possible to remove the device by surgery, forcing the rapist to seek medical attention and thus revealing his identity to the police.
“It will make men think twice,” Ehlers said.
With the Rapex device raising the concern that the rapist may become increasingly volatile after it's use, many critics have been skeptical of the product.
“If a victim is wearing such a device it may enrage the attacker further and possibly result in more harm being caused,” Sam Waterhouse, advocacy coordinator for Rape Crisis, said in a 2005 MSNBC.com article.
Ehlers said the victim should still have time, when using the condom, to seek help in the event of an attempted rape.
“Sadly, many women have been killed over time, as nobody can guarantee the outcome of any rape,” Ehlers said. “However, the huge plus-factor is that the discomfort and pain is such, that the rapist would be disabled temporarily, giving you time to get away and get help.”
In a 2005 article, Robyn Dixon raised the issue that the Rapex condom is “a medieval device built on the hatred of men.”
“I don't hate men. I love men. I have not got revenge in mind. All I am doing is giving women their power back,” Ehlers said.
“I don't even hate rapists. But I hate the deed with a passion.”
Ehlers said the Rapex condoms will be available in stores where the regular stock of condoms are sold, and will be slightly more in price then the average condom.
It is not clear whether the device will be made available in Canada, however, further information on the Rapex condom can be found on the web at www.rapestop.net.
