Rapex

Rapex is a an anti-rape condom developed for women in South Africa. South Africa has the highest rates of rape in the world. The Sydney Morning Herald reported that the South African rate rape is "19 per 100,000 people. Analysts say the total, including unreported rapes, could be nine times higher."

Rapex acts something like vagina dentata. It has little hooks that attach to the rapists penis upon insertion, and it can be removed only via surgery. It is obviously very painful. Bloggers have already noted a similarity between Rapex and a fictional device in the book "Snow Crash".

Rapex is controversial. While some say it's about time something like this was created for women, others have said that Rapex may only anger a rapist, causing him to further harm his victim - even killing her. Anti-rape campaigner Charlene Smith said that Rapex "goes back to the concept of chastity belts" and would incite injured rapists to kill their victims. She also said, "We don't need these nut-case devices by people hoping to make a lot of money out of other women's fear." It's rightly been pointed out that most women are raped by people they know - husbands, boyfriends, acquaintences. However, this product was made mostly for South African women, not western women, and South Africa has its own unique problems with rape.

Rapex doesn't actually prevent rape, because the device only works once the rapists penis is inside his victim's vagina. It also doesn't affect oral or anal rape. While Rapex on the whole seems to be a good idea for South African women, it would be a mistake to place the entire responsibility for rape on women's shoulders. Punishing the rapists, believing victims rather than automatically accusing them of making false rape allegations, as well as educating men regarding the realities of rape should also be undertaken.