Anti-rape female condom
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The anti-rape female condom (aka vaginal bear trap, brand name Rapex) was invented by Sonette Ehlers, a South African woman. It is intended to prevent rape by hooking onto an attacker's penis, hurting and disabling him.
The device is a latex tube fitted internally with shafts of sharp, inward-facing plastic barbs that could be worn by a woman in her vagina, similar to a tampon. Should an attacker attempt vaginal rape, the penis would be hooked by the barbs, causing the attacker pain and giving the victim time to escape. The condom would remain attached to the attacker's penis and, according to the device's creator, could be removed only surgically[citation needed], which would alert hospital staff and police that an attempted rape could have taken place. Furthermore, the device's inventor believes that the very existence of the device in over-the-counter stores could also act as a deterrent by creating the possibility in a potential rapist's mind that victims might be using it. However, the fact that a man was injured by the device would not in and of itself mean he was a rapist, due to the possibility of abuse of the device (see criticism).
According to Ehlers, the Rapex would also act as a female condom, reducing chances of impregnation or STD infection. However, there is no scientific research that supports her claim. Ehlers herself claim that the device prevents STDs because "there is no body fluid inside you from the rapist."[1]
The device was unveiled on August 31, 2005 in South Africa. Production will start later this year if severe criticism is overcome. The inventor hopes to have the product on the market in late 2006.
[edit] Criticism
The device has been severely criticized by many men and women alike, including anti-rape activists, former rape victims, and members of the media. Critics, women included, have objected to Ehler's invention as "mediaeval" and "vengeful, horrible, and disgusting" [2] and oppose its planned sale in drugstores. Still others describe the device as "barbaric"[3].
Since the wearer of the condom exhibits no visible signals that she is using the condom, there is no visible deterrence for a prospective attacker. Furthermore, the fact that men would not be able to tell that women are wearing the device has led to concerns that it could be worn for consensual sex as part of a malicious act of revenge, to frame an innocent man as a rapist, or as a form of outright sadistic cruelty. Ehlers' only response to these critisms is to say that "Of course it is possible, as everything can be abused. But there will be legal consequences."[1] The likelihood of a court believing an innocent man who was injured or framed by a device marketed to stop rapes has not been established.
Still others fear that use of the device could enrage the attacker and further jeopardize the victim. Furthermore, the anti-rape condom is ineffectual in gang-rapes, as the condom is taken out by the first rapist.[4] This could also put the wearer in further danger, as it could escalate the situation. Still others point out that the device could simply lead to potential rapists "testing" their victims first with some other object to easily avoid harm. The inventor's response to these criticisms is simply to state, "When a rapist attacks, he looses [sic] control of his senses. He will become aware of the device when it is too late."[1]
Mainstream media writer Robyn Dixon from the LA Times began her article Controversy in South Africa over device to snare rapists with "A medieval device built on hatred of men?"[5] which was in line with other media sources' obvious revulsion towards the invention. The article goes on to note the strong reactions against the device, with some people believing that the inventor "needs help," women's activists referring to the device as "regressive," and an anti-rape campaigner saying that the "nut-case devices" go "back to the concept of chastity belts."[5]
In a British paper, The Times, the headline ran Anti-rape device must be banned, say women.[2] The article further echoes the overwhelming disgust that people have with the device. As written in the article, "Furious South African women have called for ... [the device] to be banned by the Government," with activists "outraged" and campaigning to stop the device's sale,[2] and leading anti-rape campaigner Charlene Smith remarking that it is "a medieval instrument, based on male-hating notions."[2] Popular radio host Jenny Crwys-William described the device simply as "profoundly disturbing," while a rape victim commented that "This will increase the danger to women, who are already in great danger during a rape. The Government must not allow this to go on sale."[2]
Ehlers, who characterizes the criticism her device has received as a "few negative responses," acknowledges the validity of the portrayal of the device as excessively cruel, saying "'A mediaeval device for a mediaeval deed'!"[1] She also claims that the device will not be illegal, because it is "neither lethal nor fatal" (synonymous terms), but does not acknowledge the fact that the device could cause permanent damage if the rapist does not seek "professional help without delay;" a fact that could make the device illegal in some jurisdictions. Regarding the criticism posed by particularly well-known critics, Ehlers remarks that she finds "such unconstructive criticism surprising."[1]
In South Africa it is estimated that one million rapes occur each year. [6] This led to the creation of RAPEX (its trademark name).[5] South Africa has the highest rate of sexual assault- and AIDS - in the world.[7]
Rapex even has its own official website (rapestop.net) where plans are in motion for making and distributing comprehensive information packages about the product. It has also been patented. PATENT NO: PCT/ZA2005/00138
The device has only been tested using plastic male and female genitalia.
[edit] Background
The concept of a vagina dentata is rooted in ancient myth and had previously been explored in fiction, e.g. in Snow Crash by Neal Stephenson. [8] Ehlers has also admitted that she was inspired by speaking to a rape victim who said, "If only I had teeth down there,"[5][9] and also from seeing "a young man was admitted to hospital for getting his penis caught in his trouser zip and was in excruciating pain" when she was a blood technician.[1]
[edit] References
- ^ a b c d e f "Frequently Asked Questions about RAPEX", RAPEX Official Website. Retrieved 22 September, 2006.
- ^ a b c d e "Anti-rape device must be banned, say women", Times Online, 8 June 2005. Accessed on 15 May, 2006
- ^ "Anti-rape condom aims to stop sexual assaults", MSNBC.com, 31 August, 2005. Assessed on 22 September, 2006
- ^ "Vagina Dentata", SFGate, 12 June 2005. Retrieved 15 May 2006.
- ^ a b c d "Controversy in South Africa over device to snare rapists", Sydney Morning Herald, 2 September, 2005.
- ^ Violence Against Women in South Africa, State Response to Domestic Violence and Rape (1995). Human Rights Watch/Africa; Human Rights Watch Women’s Rights Project, New York.
- ^ "South African Anti-Rape Condom Could Reduce Risk of Pregnancy, HIV, STDs, Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation, 2 September, 2005.
- ^ "Rape Trap Like Snow Crash 'Dentata'" Technovelgy, 6 December 2005. Accessed on 15 May 2006
- ^ "Anti-rape device postponed" SABC News, 21 June 2006. Accessed on 18 August 2006.