Dr. Sonnet Ehlers shows a spiked female condom, whose hooks she says stick on a man during rape.

South African Dr. Sonnet Ehlers was on call one night four decades ago when a devastated rape victim walked in. Her eyes were lifeless; she was like a breathing corpse.

"She looked at me and said, 'If only I had teeth down there,'" recalled Ehlers, who was a 20-year-old medical researcher at the time. "I promised her I'd do something to help people like her one day."

Forty years later, Rape-aXe was born.

Ehlers is distributing the female condoms in the various South African cities where the World Cup soccer games are taking place.

The woman inserts the latex condom like a tampon. Jagged rows of teeth-like hooks line its inside and attach on a man's penis during penetration, Ehlers said.

Once it lodges, only a doctor can remove it -- a procedure Ehlers hopes will be done with authorities on standby to make an arrest.

"It hurts, he cannot pee and walk when it's on," she said. "If he tries to remove it, it will clasp even tighter... however, it doesn't break the skin, and there's no danger of fluid exposure."

Ehlers said she sold her house and car to launch the project, and she planned to distribute 30,000 free devices under supervision during the World Cup period.

"I consulted engineers, gynecologists and psychologists to help in the design and make sure it was safe," she said.

After the trial period, they'll be available for about $2 a piece. She hopes the women will report back to her.

"The ideal situation would be for a woman to wear this when she's going out on some kind of blind date ... or to an area she's not comfortable with," she said.

The mother of two daughters said she visited prisons and talked to convicted rapists to find out whether such a device would have made them rethink their actions.

Some said it would have, Ehlers said.

Critics say the female condom is not a long-term solution and makes women vulnerable to more violence from men trapped by the device.

It's also a form of "enslavement," said Victoria Kajja, a fellow for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in the east African country of Uganda. "The fears surrounding the victim, the act of wearing the condom in anticipation of being assaulted all represent enslavement that no woman should be subjected to."

Kajja said the device constantly reminds women of their vulnerability.

"It not only presents the victim with a false sense of security, but psychological trauma," she added. "It also does not help with the psychological problems that manifest after assaults."

However, its one advantage is it allows justice to be served, she said.

Various rights organizations that work in South Africa declined to comment, including Human Rights Watch and Care International.

South Africa has one of the highest rape rates in the world, Human Rights Watch says on its website. A 2009 report by the nation's Medical Research Council found that 28 percent of men surveyed had raped a woman or girl, with one in 20 saying they had raped in the past year, according to Human Rights Watch.

In most African countries, rape convictions are not common. Affected women don't get immediate access to medical care, and DNA tests to provide evidence are unaffordable.

"Women and girls who experience these violations are denied justice, factors that contribute to the normalization of rape and violence in South African society," Human Rights Watch says.

Women take drastic measures to prevent rape in South Africa, Ehlers said, with some wearing extra tight biker shorts and others inserting razor blades wrapped in sponges in their private parts.

Critics have accused her of developing a medieval device to fight rape.

"Yes, my device may be a medieval, but it's for a medieval deed that has been around for decades," she said. "I believe something's got to be done ... and this will make some men rethink before they assault a woman."

http://edition.cnn.com/20...le.condom/

As an alternative to mandatory teen vasectomies perhaps?

[Edited 6/21/10 12:28pm]

Assuming the thing works, that's what the damn rapist deserve! Something clawing their dick off!

It's a damn shame women have to start wearing this shit. What the fuck is going on?

finally! a weapon that will actually make a difference.

uPtoWnNY said:

It's a damn shame women have to start wearing this shit. What the fuck is going on?

No kidding!

Wait

women would wear this round "just in case" of rape ... like

weird

"Critics say the female condom is not a long-term solution and makes women vulnerable to more violence from men trapped by the device."

well YEAH !

pros and cons I guess ...

Acrylic said:

uPtoWnNY said:

It's a damn shame women have to start wearing this shit. What the fuck is going on?

I get your sentiment, but it's only just starting cause it's been invented. There have been similar devices in the olden days, but they were meant as chasitity belts, forced on women by their fathers and husbands to keep them pure and loyal. Now it's a matter of choice.

But what kind of choice is it?

I would love to see sales of this sky-rocket if only so fear may act as some sort of deterrent. Sadly, and as is criticized in the article, I fear this would only escalate the violence...

Well, I understand the purpose......but ummmm

What makes it stay up inside the female?

And what if u get some sort of infection from keepin that thing up in there?

I don't know...there's too many unknowns with this thing.

[Edited 6/21/10 11:39am]

I don't think it's intended for round-the-clock use. I can see it being used when a woman will be exposed to danger like walking alone at night or on a date with a new man or just hanging at the club where you might end up in a "situation." The woman has to use common sense. And yes, it could backfire if the guy is in pain, but I would think that would give a woman a few extra seconds to get her shit together and run or to give two good spike heel thrusts to his eyeballs...Yeah, I know that sounds like overkill, but if a man is abusing me, I'd want to maim his ass for fuggin LIFE!

Reminds me of an incident that happended near where I work. A nurse was going to her car after he shift ended and she was attacked by a man intent on assaulting her. Well, she gave him two good swift, hard thrusts to the scrotum and ruptured it. Bastid turned around and tried to sue her! Sheeyit! Judge should have given her a key to the city!

[Edited 6/21/10 11:09am]

If I'm criminal enough to be a rapist, and my cock is hurt because of this... the woman will not live.

If I'm criminal enough to be a rapist, and I know this thing is out there... I will be checking with fingers or anything else I have available.

Personally, I applaud the invention to combat a horrible problem. I just think the repurcussions would be more severe against the WOMAN.

And I'm sorry that I don't have a better soution. I wish I did.

does it go with the jaws theme song right before dude stuck?

Vagina dentata is real

That's an interesting device. I would hope it works because there are so many areas were such a thing would be crucial. Some women are suffering in some unimagined ways in some of these countries. Being mutilated on the inside.

This is actually an old story (by a couple of years). This topic was on the table when South Africa was going through a surge in violent crime and village rapes were at the top of the list. It was a horrible time,lots of gang raping going on and women being intentionally infected with AIDS (due to superstitious malarkey being spread that having sex with virgins or young children would appease the spirits and cure you of the disease )... I remember one of my closest friends had moved back home to South Africa at the time, she quit her career in fashion photography to buy and tend a new farm. I was so terrified for her safety I was like " look, you need to load up on them shits as soon as you can get your hands on them!" The sexual violence there is just staggering.

I've got my doubts about the practical implications, but you do have to admire the sentiment!

Just supply them with gun and some ammo.

This is not new - I heard about that a couple of years ago!

Dave1992 said:

This is not new - I heard about that a couple of years ago!

Heard, mind you.

Ottensen said:

This is actually an old story (by a couple of years). This topic was on the table when South Africa was going through a surge in violent crime and village rapes were at the top of the list. It was a horrible time,lots of gang raping going on and women being intentionally infected with AIDS (due to superstitious malarkey being spread that having sex with virgins or young children would appease the spirits and cure you of the disease )... I remember one of my closest friends had moved back home to South Africa at the time, she quit her career in fashion photography to buy and tend a new farm. I was so terrified for her safety I was like " look, you need to load up on them shits as soon as you can get your hands on them!" The sexual violence there is just staggering.

I think the difference is that now it is commercially available.

Dave1992 said:

This is not new - I had one removed a couple of years ago!

Tsk tsk.

not sure if this is a good idea. it won't prevent rape (though it might shorten the duration) and it will almost certainly cause more violence

but, it might catch a rapist

I just think it's an extreme preventative measure. Who goes out with expectations of rape? I hope nobody.

So uh...what's a woman supposed to stick up her ass in case ole raper dude tries to back door her.

I say arm these women with guns, machetes, free guard dogs or whatever it takes to defend themselves without having to insert some thingamajig in their hoo has in anticipation of some bottom feeding/low life/superstitious/jungle spooked/woman hating piece of shit.

deebee said:

I've got my doubts about the practical implications, but you do have to admire the sentiment!

I agree, I guess its a small consolation for a woman who is violated in a very painful way.

Its like shooting a lion after its eaten both your legs.

paintedlady said:

deebee said:

I've got my doubts about the practical implications, but you do have to admire the sentiment!

I agree, I guess its a small consolation for a woman who is violated in a very painful way.

Its like shooting a lion after its eaten both your legs.

As a woman who has been raped I love this. Yes, there are pros and cons, but if both my legs were eaten I'd still want to kill the lion. I wish this device would do permanent damage because in many cases, like mine, the rapists get off with a slap on the wrist. Both my rapists were sentenced to life plus 45 years. The one who planned the whole thing spent a year and then got out on some trumped up technicality even with DNA evidence. I had to leave the state because he was stalking me at my job and my home. Maybe if his dick had been hurt he would have thought twice. Maybe not...but I would have taken a black eye or broken arm in return for knowing he was hurt or castrated.

So not only do I wish they were available to the women and young girls in patriarchal countries where men make the laws, I wish it was available here. Many times in Chicago I've had to leave work very late at night and have been followed more than once. We aren't allowed to have guns here so I would have no problem buying one of these. Is it sad that women today still have to be afraid in certain situations? Yes...but that's a sad fact of life as a female.

noimageatall said:

paintedlady said:

I agree, I guess its a small consolation for a woman who is violated in a very painful way.

Its like shooting a lion after its eaten both your legs.

As a woman who has been raped I love this. Yes, there are pros and cons, but if both my legs were eaten I'd still want to kill the lion. I wish this device would do permanent damage because in many cases, like mine, the rapists get off with a slap on the wrist. Both my rapists were sentenced to life plus 45 years. The one who planned the whole thing spent a year and then got out on some trumped up technicality even with DNA evidence. I had to leave the state because he was stalking me at my job and my home. Maybe if his dick had been hurt he would have thought twice. Maybe not...but I would have taken a black eye or broken arm in return for knowing he was hurt or castrated.

So not only do I wish they were available to the women and young girls in patriarchal countries where men make the laws, I wish it was available here. Many times in Chicago I've had to leave work very late at night and have been followed more than once. We aren't allowed to have guns here so I would have no problem buying one of these. Is it sad that women today still have to be afraid in certain situations? Yes...but that's a sad fact of life as a female.

DesireeNevermind said:

noimageatall said:

As a woman who has been raped I love this. Yes, there are pros and cons, but if both my legs were eaten I'd still want to kill the lion. I wish this device would do permanent damage because in many cases, like mine, the rapists get off with a slap on the wrist. Both my rapists were sentenced to life plus 45 years. The one who planned the whole thing spent a year and then got out on some trumped up technicality even with DNA evidence. I had to leave the state because he was stalking me at my job and my home. Maybe if his dick had been hurt he would have thought twice. Maybe not...but I would have taken a black eye or broken arm in return for knowing he was hurt or castrated.

So not only do I wish they were available to the women and young girls in patriarchal countries where men make the laws, I wish it was available here. Many times in Chicago I've had to leave work very late at night and have been followed more than once. We aren't allowed to have guns here so I would have no problem buying one of these. Is it sad that women today still have to be afraid in certain situations? Yes...but that's a sad fact of life as a female.

Co-sign. Sorry to hear that that happened to you, NoImmy, and the pathetic excuse for 'justice' that the courts came up with.

deebee said:

DesireeNevermind said:

Co-sign. Sorry to hear that that happened to you, NoImmy, and the pathetic excuse for 'justice' that the courts came up with.

back to you and Desiree...

I know this device may seem extreme, but until justice systems all over the world make crimes against females and children a higher priority with stiffer penalities, this is what we're left with.

noimageatall said:

deebee said:

Co-sign. Sorry to hear that that happened to you, NoImmy, and the pathetic excuse for 'justice' that the courts came up with.

back to you and Desiree...

I know this device may seem extreme, but until justice systems all over the world make crimes against females and children a higher priority with stiffer penalities, this is what we're left with.

Co-sign! I am so sorry that someone hurt you this way. I am glad you stood up to those assholes. Shame they didn't rot in jail.

paintedlady said:

noimageatall said:

back to you and Desiree...

I know this device may seem extreme, but until justice systems all over the world make crimes against females and children a higher priority with stiffer penalities, this is what we're left with.

Co-sign! I am so sorry that someone hurt you this way. I am glad you stood up to those assholes. Shame they didn't rot in jail.

Damn typos..PENALTIES...

Anyway, ...and if you step back and look at these barbed condoms you will realize what a ridiculous world we live in where this has to be invented.