Would The "Rape-aXe" Barbed Condoms Actually Work?

Have you not heard of the Rape-aXe? It's the rape-prevention device that's designed to sink twenty-five hooks into the penis of an attacker. On the one hand, the mere idea of this object's function terrifies me in a visceral (and genital) way. On the other, if you're a rapist you really deserve what you're getting there. But the point is that this is real, and its creator would like to distribute thousands of these artificial vagina dentata to the women of South Africa before the World Cup. (A woman is raped every twenty-six minutes there.)

The question now, of course, is whether or not this will work. (In a larger sense; it will most definitely fuck up your manhood.) While at first glance the idea seems perfect and a satisfying bit of instant karma, some people are worried that the use of the Rape-aXe would only lead to further violence against the victim. Others are concerned that some some would use it against innocent men (which is valid, though I imagine the first issue would be much more prevalent). In the end, of course, the real problem is that men are attempting the rapes at all.

Readers, what do you think: could this actually work to discouraged attempted sexual assault, or would it only lead to more problems for any woman using it? (For my part, I'd probably feel safer with a tazer.)

Via Jezebel.

Comments ( 15 )

I think that if the women start to use these for protection, that the rapists will just begin sodomizing them instead.

Wrongo commented on Apr 29 10 at 4:46 pm

I feel like the kind of person who is going to rape in the first place is not the kind of person to back down and take a lesson after just having their junk shredded. I think they deserve it, but unfortunately the attack would likely turn into something much, much worse.

TwL commented on Apr 29 10 at 4:50 pm

Without getting too graphic here, if a rapist can force a woman to remove her clothes against her will, what's stopping him from forcing the women to remove this thing as well or to demonstrate that there isn't one? Worse yet, the attacker could probe the area for the existence of this device using something other than his penis before committing to the act (think of it as mine sweeping on very small scale.) Not very effective against a determined attacker, but may deter the more opportunistic or intoxicated attacker.

meh commented on Apr 29 10 at 4:53 pm

Turn a rape into a murder.

A better defense is a small piece of lead inserted into the rapist's skull.

Moo commented on Apr 29 10 at 4:54 pm

@ Moo: agreed. I think the best defense is a good offense.

TwL commented on Apr 29 10 at 4:59 pm

Do the women have to wear this every hour of every day for the rest of their lives or just on days they feel more likely to be raped? I appreciate that someone is trying, but this isn't practical...

ef commented on Apr 29 10 at 5:27 pm

If I put it in my butt, will it protect me the next time the IRS bends me over?

G Unit commented on Apr 29 10 at 5:35 pm

I've been thinking a lot about this. I'm fascinated. I think it's one of those things, like cigarettes, that make the free market look good. What I mean is nobody is going to compel women to wear these things. They are merely options. And yes, there are quite a lot of things that don't make sense like what "ef" said: when will women wear them? When they think they might be raped? How easily can they be removed? Will this be a deterrent or an agitator?

But the point is this: whoever buys it knows the deal already (or should, just like cigarettes), so they exist and they may work sometimes and may fuck up some dirtbags and sometimes they may do more harm than good, but because it is merely an available option makes it a good thing. Eh?

TwL commented on Apr 29 10 at 5:39 pm

I had an ex girlfriend who was completely deluded into thinking I was cheating on her (I wasn't). I wouldn't have put it past her to use one of these to 'punish' me, whereas I was lucky to only get a dozen glasses thrown at me instead.

Ge commented on Apr 29 10 at 5:39 pm

Aside from the pure mechanics, by the time this device comes into play, the woman has already been raped, so from a psychological prospective, it's not really considered prevention, just revenge.

meh commented on Apr 29 10 at 6:41 pm

I think if they advertise this, or in any way announce that they are issuing these, then the consequences of their actions will incite more violence and do more harm than good. THis device is meant to physically hurt the penis--and then what? Spray the rape victims open vagina with the blood of a rapist? Is that really better for her long term than semen was? Plus, not only will the raping continue, but more anal rape will occur--which has a greater risk of ripping and tearing--physical damages will be greater. Not to mention the added horror that any man who is hell bent on rape would just "check" to see if she has one, and then punish her accordingly. I strongly support research into rape prevention and protection for women--but I think this is just another last ditch attempt, meant to protect a woman who would have to be assaulted to get revenge--and that's not good enough even if it worked effectively.

Erica Romeo commented on Apr 29 10 at 6:59 pm

well i think if it's passed out to a lot of people. then it will be known of and then the rapist with check to see if it's there. i mean i'm sure you can yank it right out. also if a guy goes to rape a woman and feels the first poke then he will most likely not continue to pull out. which would mean he will just be laying on top of the rape victim until he goes soft and then probably kill her.

sarah commented on Apr 29 10 at 8:34 pm

if a woman is wearing this all day every day. and in a poor society i'm guessing a lot of health problems would stem from pulling a vagina for many hours every day.

little me commented on Apr 29 10 at 8:36 pm

I can't speak to the efficacy of the device in stopping rape altogether, but speaking as a guy, if you sink 25 barbed fishhooks into my junk I imagine I'd be a lot more focused on getting free than I would in retaliation.

Neal Stephenson's idea of a dentata as expressed in Snow Crash might be a better idea...a very small hypo full of potent knockout drugs, triggered on entry, that puts the attacker flat on his ass almost immediately.

Giving time to escape, summon police, etc. without fear of retaliation. It couldn't be THAT far out of the realm of possibility.

apo commented on Apr 29 10 at 10:37 pm

@apo . . . Can't believe I'm the only person who's reminded of the dentata. Definitely a better option.

mpb commented on Apr 30 10 at 10:29 am

Would The "Rape-aXe" Barbed Condoms Actually Work?

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