What are they thinking

[Anthony]

I read in our schools paper about a potential new device that may deter future rape cases. I don't know if this is such a great idea, but it may work. What do you all think?

This is the article I read:

Women: How far are you willing to go to protect yourself from rape? Men: How far are you willing to go to protect women against being raped? Or perhaps the real question is: Should society or should individuals be held responsible for safety? Sonet Ehlers, a South African native, answered these questions for herself and ostensibly for the women of South Africa on Sept. 1.

Ehlers patented the “Rapex,” a device the size of a tampon with very different features and uses. Rapex is a small latex device that women can insert inside themselves that has tooth-like hooks on the inside. If an unwanted penis penetrates the vagina, the tooth-like hooks attach themselves to the penis.

The only way Rapex can be removed from the penis is through surgery. Ehlers states that no permanent damage is done to the man’s penis. The Rapex, having been patented for less than a month, is already wildly controversial – or maybe it’s just plain wild.

Ehlers said she believes this device will be a solution to the escalating rape numbers in her country and in others. The device will put a man in such debilitating pain that a woman will have time to escape, Ehlers states. Knowing that this type of device is available to women will possibly deter potential assailants from committing rape.

Along with deterring crime, rapists will, in theory, be caught. Having to admit oneself to a hospital with the Rapex attached to the penis will hopefully be a red flag to doctors and law enforcement officers that something isn’t quite right.

In interviews with Ehler, the most common question posed is, “What inspired you to create the Rapex?” Ehlers consistently tells the story of a rape victim she met in 1969. “If you have seen a rape victim, she is alive, yet dead,” Ehlers said.

After meeting the woman, Ehlers committed herself to helping women.

South African rape numbers are the highest in the world and are consistently escalating. Currently, there are 110 reported rapes per 100,000 women, although it is estimated that this number may be as much as nine times higher.

In America, there are 30 reported rapes per 100,000 women. Ehlers understands this disparity in violent crime in South Africa versus the rest of the world, and it is this that she wishes to rectify.

Rapex, she has said, will not be available until late 2006 at the earliest. Ehlers hopes to be able to sell it to South African women for what translates to 0.16 American cents. While Americans are disputing the effectiveness of Rapex, a majority of South African women have said that they would, without a doubt, use it daily.

Ehlers said she believes that having this option for safety will empower women to take control of their lives and their bodies, making themselves less of a target. If we acknowledge Ehlers’ cultural backdrop, the Rapex seems to make sense.

However, there is much opposition to the effectiveness of the device.

Perhaps the strongest argument against the Rapex is that it would increase violent killings. Many critics are saying that the pain may increase the man’s desire to kill. Would the woman really have the opportunity to get away if the man had a gun? While the Rapex may deter STDs and pregnancy through rape it may increase violence and killing.

There are individuals, mainly psychologists, claiming that Rapex may actually increase rape in the cases of deeply sadistic males. Feminists claim that it undermines feminism by making the woman take responsibility for her safety when society should take more proactive measures for deterrence.

Others mention that it would be inconvenient to put in every day. There is a possibility a woman may take more of a psychological hit if she forgets to insert Rapex and is raped. Another question resides in the safety of Rapex for the woman. How sterile is it? Would women be informed as to how to keep it clean? Also, the Rapex has yet to be tested on a human male (any volunteers?).

Americans seem to reject Ehlers’ new invention as reactionary. American politics have always resided around the issues of state sovereignty versus national sovereignty and, subsequently, individual sovereignty versus state sovereignty. This is another debate reflecting the same issues.

Whether or not deterrence would actually be achieved, I agree with Ehlers that having the device available may empower women to take control of their own safety.

Perhaps Ehlers is less of a reactionary thinker and more of a practical thinker. The state should take responsibility for deterring crime, but it is naïve to believe that we, as individuals, should not have to take any responsibility for our own safety.

The Rapex may be extreme and extremely painful, even for males to read about, but Ehlers has something right: It’s time to stop complaining about

[inDEED]

I think it's a great idea.

[Anthony]

[quote name='inDEED' date='Oct 5 2005, 11:58 AM']I think it's a great idea.
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You're probably right. At the time I read the article, I guess I was a little uneasy because I thought about the pain initially. However, if someone were to come in contact with a woman who happened to be wearing one, that would teach him. I guess it doesn't sound as harsh after thinking about it a while. Rape is still far worse of a senerio than having some devise surgically removed from your genitals.

[StColette]

Wow, trying to get over the initial shock here.

[sweetpea316]

For serious?

[zabbazooey]

It's a great idea

[Old_Joe]

[url="http://www.phatmass.com/phorum/index.php?showtopic=38958&hl=anti-rape+condom"]Anti-Rape Condoms in South Africa[/url]

I'm not trying to condone rape or condoms, but does anyone else think that this using one intrinsic evil to combat another?

Edited October 5, 2005 by Old_Joe

[PadrePioOfPietrelcino]

[quote name='Old_Joe' date='Oct 5 2005, 12:38 PM'][url="http://www.phatmass.com/phorum/index.php?showtopic=38958&hl=anti-rape+condom"]Anti-Rape Condoms in South Africa[/url]

I'm not trying to condone rape or condoms, but does anyone else think that this using one intrinsic evil to combat another?
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I don't think that condom would be the right word for it. As well it is my impression that this devise is designed to Stop something evil from happening, not prevent something from good and from God (a child) from happening so something evil can exist.

I get your point, but I think they are two different categories. If a woman wants to wear one, because it makes here feel safer, then I'm ok with it I'm not at risk of "catching" one.

[Theoketos]

No thing is intrisically evil.

In the case of rape, a woman wearing a condom to prevent both disease and conception is acceptable, even according to the natural law and Church Teaching. Why? Because inside of marriage there is a unitive aspect and destroying that makes condoms wrong. However, inside rape their is no unitve aspect, so there is no negative aspect.

[Totus Tuus]

I don't know, that sounds very unnatural, potentially dangerous to the woman... it threw up a lot of red flags for me. I would deifnitely not use it.

I've never been raped, so I don't konw what it's like to live in that fear. But I can see how it would be appealing to a woman who is terrified of going out by herself or something.

I just thought of something else. I personally would allow the man to kill me before I let him rape me. I cannot have myself violated like that. It seems like this device would allow him to violate her purity before it was really effective. I don't know... I'm not liking this idea.

Edited October 6, 2005 by Totus Tuus

[Old_Joe]

[quote name='Theoketos' date='Oct 6 2005, 08:52 AM']No thing is intrisically evil.
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I'm not so sure. I've always been taught that abortion for example is an intrinsic evil, meaning that it is always wrong no matter the circumstances. However, I agree with you in that there are times doing something evil can be acceptable. For instance someone who has no choice but to steal food to feed their poor family. Stealing is wrong, but in this case the person is less culpable because they are doing it to survive.

[Theoketos]

1. Acts can be intrisically disordered, but things are not evil in their essence.

2. The principle of double affect must be considered, as you said.

[Carrie]

[quote name='Totus Tuus' date='Oct 6 2005, 11:12 AM']I cannot have myself violated like that.
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Isn't that how all women feel?

No woman wants to be violated in that way and would not let themselves be violated in that way if they could help it.

I think the device is a good idea, especially for women in areas where rape is extremely prevalent. It allows them to be just a little bit safer.

[Totus Tuus]

That is correct. God could not create anything that was intrinsically evil in itself. Satan or some other being would have had to create it, and the ability to create can belong only to an omnipotent, perfect Being.

[Cow of Shame]

[quote name='Totus Tuus' date='Oct 6 2005, 09:12 AM'] I personally would allow the man to kill me before I let him rape me.
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I don't think you typically have a choice.

[Dreamweaver]

I think the rape condom is a bad idea. Sure, rape is a horrible thing, but are they expecting women to wear it 24/7? I'm not sure that would be very practical. If a guy is really intent on raping a woman, he can check her before raping her.

I think the most effective way to prevent rape is to use common sense and basic self-defense courses. After dark or in unknown places, always have a trusted friend walk with you. Know where to be able to kick a man to incapacitate him in order to get away and report it. I'm not even a fan of mace and self defense "tools", as they can be used against the woman, and that would really smell of elderberries!

I just think the condom was made to play off of the fear of being raped.

[Carrie]

I'm a big fan of mace. Its helped me out.