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Feminism: Sex and gender discussions

What do you think of the anti-rape device 'Rape-aXe'?

12 replies

AgentZigzag · 27/07/2012 21:25

I've never heard of this before, it was developed in South Africa by someone called Sonette Ehlers who was told by a rape victim that she wished she'd 'had teeth down there'.

It's a tube applicator inserted like a tampon which has teeth/barbs to latch on to the penis, not only causing pain, but as it would have to be medically removed the man would be identified.

My first thoughts veered towards vengeance and just deserts, the man could think again if he believed he could get away with such despicable and base behaviour.

But thinking about it further, is it just provoking an already dangerous man, who on finding himself stuck in such a device, could kill the woman when he wouldn't have done otherwise?

It can't actually prevent the rape taking place anyway, and the man could just anally rape the woman instead.

And more than that, it places the responsibility for not being raped squarely on the woman, it's men who should be stopped from thinking they have the right to do this.

Critics have described it as a medieval punishment, but part of me agrees with Ehlers reply to that criticism that it's 'a medieval device for a medieval deed', if you're in a place where rape is prevalent why shouldn't women have an option to defend herself in the same way as choosing not to walk in isolated places or carrying a weapon?

If the criminals who carry out such offences knew such a device is widespread, even if the deterrent of the device was small (when legal convictions are also small), would the control it gave women be of value?

I know it's not black and white, but who is anyone to say how another woman chooses to deal with such an emotive issue?

OP posts:
EclecticShock · 27/07/2012 21:32

You don't usually know when you are going to be raped? Could it not be abused?

EclecticShock · 27/07/2012 21:35

If widely worn, anal rape would become the next option perhaps. I think it depends on context. Rape is more common is s Africa than here but like you said... He could kill you... How would he remove himself? Sorry if too much info.

AgentZigzag · 27/07/2012 21:38

I thought it could be used by someone to get their own back on someone ES, but does that rarity cancel out any value it has?

The fact it was developed in South Africa, a place where it's been reported that lesbians fear 'corrective rape', if you believed the risk to be high, it would be an option.

OP posts:
BertieBotts · 27/07/2012 21:38

It's a hoax, IIRC. But hypothetically, it's just too problematic for me. It could incite further violence, the rape still has to take place for the rapist to become injured, and it's putting the potential victim in a position where she has to choose between this option which could potentially put her in further danger (after all it's not like she'd also be carrying a neon "Don't rape me" sign) and not choosing it which could invite victim-blaming kind of attitudes towards her if usage was widespread and she was unfortunate enough to be raped.

AgentZigzag · 27/07/2012 21:41

But then he could kill you anyway, for lots of men rape is an incremental offence.

OP posts:
EclecticShock · 27/07/2012 21:44

I'm not sure it will reduce violence against women, it might incite it more by loons?

AgentZigzag · 27/07/2012 21:47

Do they need an incitement ES?

They might use it as a personal justification, but that wouldn't be what would spur them on, it's more deep seated than that.

OP posts:
EclecticShock · 27/07/2012 21:49

Yes I agree, justification not incitement.

CogPsych · 02/08/2012 01:56

If a guy shows up at a hospital with one of those on his willy, he'd try to explain himself by saying an angry feminist or ex-girlfriend seduced him. Now if there's a rape victim at the police station saying she was raped but had one of these devices, that would spoil his story.

So he'll probably just kill her and get rid of the body, so that despite having one of those things attached to him there will be no real proof that he's raped anyone (he won't need to prove his innocence, they'll have to prove his guilt, and having one of those attached to him does not prove he raped someone).

It would result in a lot more rape victims being killed.

BoneyBackJefferson · 02/08/2012 02:28

Given the fairly stuffed up nature of the UK justice system, I suspect that if you wore one of these you could be taken to court for assault/ABH/GBH.

omfgkillmenow · 02/08/2012 02:30

wish i had had one at 14 when i was raped fucking rite let the bastards suffer

SPsFanjoSponsorsTheOlympics · 02/08/2012 03:38

It would get abused n my opinion. People would use it for getting back at others.

If I had this as a option when I was raped I wouldn't have wanted it.

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