Anti-rape device causes controversy

Some have described it as ‘medieval punishment’, vengeful, horrible and disgusting. These are some of the critic’s views on Sonette Ehler’s anti-rape device, Rapex. Sonette is a former medical technician from South Africa.

Rapex is a device that is inserted into the vagina like a tampon but what distinguishes it from the rest is that it is lined with a latex sheath embedded with sharp, inward facing barbs or ‘teeth’, such that if an attempted rape occurs the penis would be snagged by the barbs causing excruciating pain during withdrawal. This gives the rape victim time to escape and find help. Another perk is that this device can only be removed surgically which would alert police and medical staff, hopefully followed by a swift arrest.

The latex sheath functions as a condom by preventing pregnancy and transmission of HIV and STDs.

According to the official crime statistics of 2013/14 reported cases of rape stabilised, with a slight decrease of 3%, since 2008/9 from 47 588 to 46 253 in 2013/14.

Living in a country where rape statistics are disturbingly high, do you think this might be an effective method to curb this endemic that women, children, and men suffer? 

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