Rape-aXe: Is it a Good Idea?

Unfortunately, rape is a reality in many cultures and societies, but some cultures suffer from an even more preponderant proliferation of this obscene crime than others. South Africa has such a high incidence of rape that anti-rape devices are being invented, but meeting with mixed responses.

In 2000, a South African man named Jaap Haumann invented an early prototypical anti-rape device that is inserted like a tampon, but has a spring loaded feature involving a blade that is activated if a penis enters the vagina. The activated blade would actually cut off part of the intruding penis. I remember reading about this device a few years ago and although I certainly did not have any particular concern for the raping penises, I did have some concerns for the insides of female bodies. What if one of these devices malfunctioned or misfired or was accidentally activated by something less invasive than a rape? Even in cases in which the device is activated by a raping penis, what prevents it from cutting the woman, too? I for one would not feel at ease about inserting, removing, or wearing a spring-loaded, bladed entity inside my body.