By Alana Garrett
Reporter
Sonnet Ehlers, a South African doctor, is trying to make a change for all women. However, the change Ehlers is trying to make is very questionable.
Ehlers has invented an anti-rape device called The Rape-Axe. The device is an anti-rape condom that has sharp barbs lining the inside of the condom. These barbs will snag the attacker or rapist if they try to pull away and acts like a painful Chinese finger trap.
After The Rape Axe is attached to the attackers penis, it can only be surgically removed. If the man were to try and remove The Rape-Axe, he would only cause himself extreme discomfort. As crazy as this may sound, this allows the hospitals to identify rapist and attackers that have the device attached.
To be honest, a portion of my brain applauds Ehlers for trying to prevent rape, I think it is very noble of her, but a larger and logical portion of my brain is questioning The Rape-Axe.
First, my brain questions the description of the device. It’s described as a latex sheath that contains razor sharp barbs. When I think of a sheath I think of something that holds a knife or an ax, and I definitely don’t think I would like that inserted into my vagina.
Then I hear razor sharp barbs, and although the barbs are on the inside the latex sheath, unable to harm me, I don’t trust it. Nothing is 100% accident- proof and I don’t want any accidents happening there.
Finally, I have another problem with The Rape Axe, after the rapist has the device attached to his penis, he will probably become even more aggressive and kill his victim.
I’m sure that Ehlers has good intentions with the device, especially since South Africa has a high number of rapes each year, although, I feel there are more effective items for preventing rape, like pepper spray, tasers, or pretty much a lot of other weapons you don’t have to have inserted in your privates.
Anonymous person • May 11, 2021 at 10:39 am
Leah, it’s not used as a condom, the woman does not hand it to the man, that would make it look like is is having sex. The device is placed into the vagina, and when there is unwanted penetration the penis enters the product, which is in her vagina, the man pulls it out, and has the object on him. You’re an idiot.
Leah • Jul 12, 2013 at 2:37 am
I feel like you totally missed the point of why would the rapist put this thing on in the first place? This man would have to put on this condom himself. Why would this attacker purposely put on this condom that messes up his junk? Is the defender supposed to say “Use the condom in my purse, it’s special.”? Seriously! If a rapist was going around to rape people, why wouldn’t he have his own condom if he intended to use one in the first place? Even if the defender managed to trick him into using it, wouldn’t he be able to catch onto it after he looks at it? It’s latex with razor barbs. How is that going to be concealed to have the appearance of a normal condom? I feel like anyone would be able to detect there was something off about a condom that had some weight to it. Also to your point of him being angered by his pain, I feel like if the man DID get this thing on and felt immense pain towards his junk, he would probably be stunned, paralyzed, surprised that his junk is getting scathed enough for the defender to counterattack, push or get away from the assailant. That is a vitally sensitive area of a male. Men have been known to DIE from the shock of getting shot by a bullet to their testes. If you’re using this rapeaxe, you would probably have the common knowledge that you can actually get away from him trying to put the thing on in the first place.