Jagged Rows of Teeth-Like Hooks -Updated



After several years of design enhancements and development, the anti-rape device created by Dr. Ehlers is being distributed at World Cup soccer venues in South Africa.

The device is called Rape-aXe, the female condom.

The woman inserts the latex condom like a tampon. Jagged rows of teeth-like hooks line its inside and attach on a man's penis during penetration, Ehlers said.

Once it lodges, only a doctor can remove it -- a procedure Ehlers hopes will be done with authorities on standby to make an arrest.

"It hurts, he cannot pee and walk when it's on," she said. "If he tries to remove it, it will clasp even tighter... however, it doesn't break the skin, and there's no danger of fluid exposure."

Ehlers said she sold her house and car to launch the project, and she planned to distribute 30,000 free devices under supervision during the World Cup period. […]

"The ideal situation would be for a woman to wear this when she's going out on some kind of blind date ... or to an area she's not comfortable with," she said.

Described as a cross between Chinese handcuffs and a wood chipper, the female condom has been called medieval and it's believed it could prompt rapists to be even more violent.

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Anti-Rape Device
[Previous 7/4/05 post]
This story has been in and out of the news for the past month, however, it doesn't seem to have gotten much exposure.

A South African woman, Sonette Ehlers, invented and patented a tampon-like device for use in curbing the plague of rapes that occur in the country every year. The device has microscopic hooks which fold around the penis. The mechanical action is painfully noticed by even the most single-minded rapist, thereby terminating the sexual assault. Additionally, once engaged, the anti-rape device has to be surgically removed.

There are critics that assert Ehlers just hates men, however, she denies it and contends that "Something needs to be done."

Lisa Vetten, of the Centre for the Study of Violence and Reconciliation (CSVR) said it was "a terrifying thought that women are being made to adapt to rape by wearing these devices."

Ms Ehlers's critics argue that it would be better to educate men not to rape in the first place, rather than just to catch them after the deed.

But the inventor insisted: "I'm not an educator - I will go for those they can't educate."

So, Ehlers believes she is just providing a practical solution to a significant problem. In my opinion, her device may be practical but it surely is fraught with problems.

First of all, I can't imagine that her device was actually tested on any guys, primarily because it's beyond reasonable to expect a man to insert his penis into a gizmo which is arguably a cross between Chinese handcuffs and a wood chipper.

Secondly, having a device inserting hooks into a penis would undoubtedly elicit a hugely spasmodic response from the hookee who likely would grab a frying pan and beat the skull of the woman, possibly killing her.

Thirdly, hooks stuck in the penis will normally cause severe bleeding, making the event potentially life-threatening for the rapist.

Lastly, it would seem that someone should be made liable for any maiming or death that could occur by using the device. Typically, a government or professional agency would review these types of concerns prior to allowing a penis trap on the market. Apparently that's not how it is in South Africa since the device is on sale in pharmacies for about 15 cents.