anti-rape device with teeth

mr friendly guy · Post by **mr friendly guy** » 2005-09-01 10:17pm

Saw a story of this in the paper, so I went to find an online version

Anti-rape device gives women 'teeth' - but some fear it will worsen violence
June 7, 2005

By Jillian Green

Johannesburg: A rape victim once wished for teeth "where it mattered". Now a device has been designed to "bite" a rapist's penis. The patented device looks and is worn like a tampon, but it is hollow and attaches itself with tiny hooks to a man's penis during penetration.

"We have to do something to protect ourselves. While this will not prevent rape it will assist in identifying attackers and securing convictions," claims Sonette Ehlers, inventor of the device.

Not everyone, however, is convinced of its usefulness.

Lisa Vetten, of the Centre for the Study of Violence and Reconciliation (CSVR) says: "It is like we are going back to the days where women were forced to wear chastity belts. It is a terrifying thought that women are being made to adapt to rape by wearing these devices.

"We should rather focus our energy on changing men's mindsets and behaviour towards women."

Ehlers, of Kleinmond, who has worked for the South African Institute for Medical Research, said she had been seeking a way to help women since meeting a rape survivor 20 years ago who commented that she wished she had teeth in her vagina.

"Over the past three years I have been working on this device. It is now completely safe and ready to be manufactured and distributed," she said.

It had been designed with engineers, gynaecologists, psychologists and urologists. It was "hygienic - no human hands will be involved in the manufacture".

In the event of rape, the device folds itself around the rapist's penis, attaching to the skin with microscopic hooks. It is only when the rapist withdraws that he will realise the device is clamped around his penis.

"Its design will also go a long way towards lowering HIV infection as semen is contained in the device ... as well as preventing sexually transmitted diseases and unwanted pregnancies," Ehlers says.

As it is impossible to remove the device from a penis without medical help, hospitals and clinics will be able to alert police when assistance is sought.

"This will rule out any possibility of the rapist's escaping arrest and speed up conviction."

If the rapist tries to remove the device, it will only embed itself further.

"He will have to be put under anaesthetic to have it removed. He will not be able to leave it as he will be unable to urinate."

A woman would have to wear the device every day. "We never know when we might be raped. This device should become a part of every woman's daily routine, just like brushing her teeth."

Last year, there were 52 733 reported rapes. In a study, the Gender-Based Violence Programme at the CSVR analysed 162 rapes in Johannesburg's inner city and found that one in four had been a gang rape. The study found ng,x 56% of the victims had been raped by two men and 23% by three.

Although Ehlers is optimistic that the device will go a long way towards reducing the high incidence of rape in this country, rape organisations are not so sure.

"Women would have to wear this every minute of their lives on the off-chance that they would be raped," Vetten says.

"I am concerned at how normal rape has become that we would even consider a device like this."

Chanaz Mitchell, spokeswoman for the National Network on Violence against Women, says although it is a good idea for women to protect themselves, men should take responsibility for their actions.

"We still need to focus on men as perpetrators of this heinous crime."

Mitchell is also concerned that the device might lead to further violence against victims.

"Once the rapist realises this device is attached to him, he is more than likely to take his anger out on his victim."

Mbuyiselo Botha, spokesman for the Men's Forum, said anything that could empower women should be welcomed.

"I would encourage my wife and two daughters to wear this device. It would send a signal to would-be rapists that they won't have it easy."

Ehlers intends launching the prototype next month.

"It will be available at supermarkets, chemists, anywhere where one would be able to buy tampons," she says.

The device is to cost R1 and also be available in bulk packs.

This reminds me of the German cult movie "killer condom".

Wicked Pilot · Post by **Wicked Pilot** » 2005-09-01 10:22pm

What's to stop the rapist from pulling it out first?

Quadlok · Post by **Quadlok** » 2005-09-01 10:51pm

Wicked Pilot wrote:What's to stop the rapist from pulling it out first?

Or going for a rear entry. It sounds like a good idea when you first hear it, but it there are some major issues, not least of which is how vehemently opposed feminist groups seem to be to it.

tumbletom · Post by **tumbletom** » 2005-09-02 01:02am

Wicked Pilot wrote:What's to stop the rapist from pulling it out first?

Lol and get it stuck to his finger?

Darth Servo · Post by **Darth Servo** » 2005-09-02 01:05am

tumbletom wrote:
Wicked Pilot wrote:What's to stop the rapist from pulling it out first?
Lol and get it stuck to his finger?

Of course it won't work if the asshole rapes her with a broomstick.

Elheru Aran · Post by **Elheru Aran** » 2005-09-02 01:13am

I remember there was this thingy with a similar purpose, invented in one of those mildly looney (from an American perspective, of course) Scandavian countries-- looked like a capsule-ish thing. Except when you poke it, pop goes a very long, very sharp needle...

Eezgot Datrots · Post by **Eezgot Datrots** » 2005-09-02 01:44am

My fear of Vagina Dentata just got worse. Not that I really make a habit or going around raping women, or sleeping with women with horrible fangs around their groin, but you never really know do you?

Also, it would have to be able to removed by hand, otherwise husbands and boyfriends might end up getting a nasty surprise, and going to a gynaecologist everyday to have it removed would be tedious and a waste of time.

And the name of the thing, Rapex, just sounds so bad that I would laugh if I heard it.

Stark · Post by **Stark** » 2005-09-02 02:04am

Aren't most women raped by people they know? Isn't that going to mean that this is pretty useless unless you wear it constantly, only removing it for sex?

It's a retarded idea anyway. Marking rapists is a good idea, but with a device? With TEETH? Nobody heard of UV inks?

Sriad · Post by **Sriad** » 2005-09-02 02:32am

I'm not a rapist/generally horrible person, but if I were and found a barbed capsule thing embeded in my penis after raping someone... Well, their future wouldn't look bright.

Mace>>>teeth in vagina.

Stark · Post by **Stark** » 2005-09-02 03:23am

The WORST part is that it should be possible to make similar devices which PASSIVELY mark the attacker, for easy identification later, WITHOUT poking a violent criminal in the cock and hoping he'll go away.

The Cleric · Post by **The Cleric** » 2005-09-02 03:26am

Stark wrote:The WORST part is that it should be possible to make similar devices which PASSIVELY mark the attacker, for easy identification later, WITHOUT poking a violent criminal in the cock and hoping he'll go away.

Exactly. If this gets implemented, I think we'll see a sharp increase in rape -> murders.

Justforfun000 · Post by **Justforfun000** » 2005-09-02 03:59am

ehhh. It's pretty hard to make an arguement against something that is PURELY protective in nature. Other then the generally unlikely scenario that this would be commonly misused by women when they are "angry" or such, it's too severe.

If they can make it common enough that the average rapist would think twice about bothering to assault someone, then it's served its purpose.

Whats aggravating is that in some places it really looks useful based on society there, and that in itself is sad.

WyrdNyrd · Post by **WyrdNyrd** » 2005-09-02 04:26am

Yes, it was on the news here, and I immediately remarked that it a reallt stupid idea! People just don't think! Rapists are, by definition, violent, nasty people, who will take revenge after being hurt in this way. If you're not able to stop him before he gets his dick near you, you're not going to be able to protect yourself after he goes postal on you.

And when you consider the discomfort and inconvenience of wearing it 24/7 (how do you know when and where you're going to be raped?), plus the ease of circumvention (rear-entry, stick a broomhandle up first), plus the risk of AIDS (he's now bleeding inside you!) and it all adds up to:

Dumbest. Idea. Ever!

Get a gun, and learn how to use it. Or even a knife.

Stark · Post by **Stark** » 2005-09-02 05:11am

Erm, if it's 'common enough to deter rapists', it's 'common enough to check for first, thus rendering the device useless'. That's the problem: it's NOT a deterrent, since they're so uncommon - all they are is aggravation to an already violent crime. If it tranked them, that'd be different: but who wants to wear an ampoule of ketamine inside their body?

Post by **Edi** » 2005-09-02 06:15am

Bad idea, thisdevice. Anyone who is determined to commit rape is already a violent criminal, and of a particularly vicious sort, and those types would take this very badly. Very likely they would kill or seriously maim their victim. And if it's a gang-rape situation, that's going to be just that much worse for the victim, because the first rapist is also going to be a laughingstock in front of his fellow creeps. That's NOT something anybody who has the best interests of the victim at heart wants.

They've got a fucking big societal problem and they're looking for some kind of quick fix or magic bullet that doesn't exist.

Edi

wautd · Post by **wautd** » 2005-09-02 10:22am

excellent

Guardian Of Tears · Post by **Guardian Of Tears** » 2005-09-02 03:32pm

*rolls eyes* Sad to say I was laughing while I read this artical, and for all the reasons you guys have already stated (which I shan't bother repeating) and passive marking of the rapist is the way to go to make any real progress, like you guys have said.

Instant Sunrise · Post by **Instant Sunrise** » 2005-09-02 03:47pm

I'm not surprised, this is the same country where electric fencing and razor wire are a common sight in neighborhoods, as well as the flamethrower car alarm.

If it's Jo'burg, just use it to make the rapist a really fucking good conductor, and let the city's many lightning storms take care of the rest.

Adrian Laguna · Post by **Adrian Laguna** » 2005-09-02 03:58pm

Devices like those have been around since the late 1800s, some of them patented. While I assume that this one is considerably safer for the wearer than the older versions it really doesn't do much of anything to protect people from rape. I, personally, prefer the idea of being raped and living. To having the knowledge that the fucker's dick has been cut in half as my only consolation when he tries to crack open my skull by bashing it against the floor.

Post by **NecronLord** » 2005-09-02 04:10pm

WyrdNyrd wrote:Get a gun, and learn how to use it. Or even a knife.

Are not both options illegal in the country in question?

Admiral Valdemar · Post by **Admiral Valdemar** » 2005-09-02 04:20pm

This is old, people. And I believe we've gone over it many times before. I still think it's a generally crap idea since rapists can still go around doing their shit with, or without, a penis fully intact.

Guardian Of Tears · Post by **Guardian Of Tears** » 2005-09-02 04:44pm

Is it just me or could things like this be a step towards 'legalising' rape, if you know what I mean?

Maku · Post by **Maku** » 2005-09-02 05:55pm

skyman8081 wrote:I'm not surprised, this is the same country where electric fencing and razor wire are a common sight in neighborhoods, as well as the flamethrower car alarm.

Yeah, when my parents were buying a security screen for their house they ended up choosing one based on the salesman's advise that the one they picked was 'very popular in South Africa and Israel.'

Post by **Sea Skimmer** » 2005-09-02 06:29pm

Literally thousands of anti rape devices have been patented, using everything from chain mail, to miniature bear traps and electric shocks as the method of protection. Not too many have actually been produced, let alone worn though.

Sriad · Post by **Sriad** » 2005-09-04 05:36pm

NecronLord wrote:
WyrdNyrd wrote:Get a gun, and learn how to use it. Or even a knife.
Are not both options illegal in the country in question?

Wait, seriously are knives illegal in South Africa? That would be seriously fucked up.

(Concealed knives over a certain length are illegal a lot of places, but a 3 incher can seriously mess someone up still.)