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Condoms for women that can prevent rape?

TNN | Last updated on - Jun 2, 2023, 12:50 IST

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Can these devices prevent rape?

The invention of anti-rape devices keep doing rounds in news every sometime. From underwear that can prevent rapes to a tampon that can literally slice whatever enters it, there are all sorts of whatsits that exist or have existed. Following is a list of such devices that have been invented in some or the other part of the world to prevent rapes. (Image Courtesy: Pixabay)

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Anti-Rape Condoms

An anti-rape condom was invented in South Africa, a region where rapes are enduring nightmares, by Dr. Sonette Ehlers. The device is called Rape-Axe, and literally works like an axe. It jags the penis of an attacker when it enters the vagina of a woman wearing this condom. Once the rapist is hit by the condom, he cannot even walk or pee. If he tries to remove it, the condom will only tighten its grip. It can only be removed via a doctor and this would need the rapist to visit a hospital and be exposed. (Image Courtesy: Pinterest)

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Anti-Rape Tampons

Invented by Jaap Haumann, again a South African, this tampon has a blade fixed inside it that has a hollow cylinder spring attached to it. If anything presses against it, it slices it. It was called the ‘killer tampon’. (Image Courtesy: Wikimedia)

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Anti-Rape Underwear

This one was invented by a team of Indian engineering students and was called Society Harnessing Equipment (SHE). The garment is capable of giving attackers electric shocks and sending text meassages to police along with a GPS location of the victim. It has pressure sensors put around the bust area which can detect unwanted force. In fact, this garment is capable of delivering 82 electric shocks to the attacker! (Representational Image/Courtesy: Pixabay)

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FemDefence Tampon

FemDefence Tampon was invented by a Swedish woman Anita Ingmarsdotter. In this one, there is a sharp pin attached in the tampon that can hurt and penetrate a rapist’s penis. The designing of the tampon is such that the pin can not harm the wearer. However, there have been claims that the FemDefence tampon isn’t real but was only a proposed idea to provoke a discussion. (Representational Image/Courtesy: Pixel)

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Anti-Rape Belt

This one was also invented by a group of Swedish girls who came up with the idea of a buckle that could only be unlocked by the use of both the hands. The group believed that this could deter the attacker from raping. (Representational Image/Courtesy: Wikimedia)

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Anti-Molestation Jacket

This one is similar to the anti-rape underwear and was invented by two Indian girls. This jacket will look usual and can be worn like any other. However, it has a button that can activate it and discharge 110 volts of electricity. (Image Courtesy: Pixabay)

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Angel Wing Buzzing Anti-Rape Device

This one is basically an alarm device that can be attached with your keys or bags. When the alarm is pulled, the device can create a sound of over 90 decibels. This is believed to scare off the rapist and attract the attention of passersby. (Image Courtesy: Pixabay)

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Criticism

None of these devices, except the angel wing alarm device, is commercially produced as of 2017. They have faced a lot of criticism from people, who are calling it a form of ‘enslavement’ or calling the anti-rape condom invention as “vengeful, horrible and disgusting”. Critics also said that these devices are similar to those used in the medieval times, like the chastity belt, and contribute to male-hating.

People also say that existence of these devices mean that we have, in a way, accepted the rape culture. Also, there have been arguments that ant-rape devices, yet again, put the responsibility on the victim to prevent the crime, perpetuating the victim-blaming culture.

(Image Courtesy: Richard Potts/Flickr)

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Do you think we need these devices?

Ehler, inventor of the anti-rape condoms, calls Rape-aXe "a medieval device for a medieval deed", answering back to the people who called it a medieval device. Sure, the existence, or for that matter even the need, of these devices reflect badly on our society. But are they needed for an equal sense of freedom? Is fear the only way we can stop rapists from raping women? (Image Courtesy: Shutterstock)

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Condoms for women that can prevent rape?

​Can these devices prevent rape?

​Anti-Rape Condoms

​Anti-Rape Tampons

​Anti-Rape Underwear

​FemDefence Tampon

​Anti-Rape Belt

​Anti-Molestation Jacket

​Angel Wing Buzzing Anti-Rape Device