Anti-rape female condom
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The anti-rape female condom (aka anti-rape condom, intended 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 sheath held firm by shafts of sharp, inward-facing microscopic barbs that would be worn by a woman in her vagina like a tampon. Should an attacker attempt vaginal rape, the penis would penetrate the latex and be hooked by the barbs, causing the attacker pain and (ideally) giving the victim time to escape. The condom would remain attached to the attacker's body and could be removed only surgically, which would alert hospital staff and police.
The Rapex would also act as a regular female condom, reducing chances of impregnation or STD infection.
The device was unveiled on August 31, 2005 in rape-ridden South Africa.
[edit] Criticism
Critics, women included, have objected to Ehler's invention as "medieval" and "vengeful, horrible, and disgusting" [1] and oppose its planned sale in drugstores. Others, refer to it simply as a "Vaginal Bear Trap," as it inflicts severe pain on the attacker. 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, which adds to criticisms that the device is vindictive. Of course, this concern for the well-being of a violent rapist has garnered even harsher responses from proponents of the device. However, the device has furthermore caused concern that it could be worn for consensual sex as part of a malicious act of revenge or outright cruelty. Others fear that use of the device would enrage the attacker and further jeopardize the victim.[2]
[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 [3]. Ehler mentioned that she was inspired by a victim's reference to the myth [4].
Mass production of the device should begin in April 2007. [5]
