Does Rape-aXe prevent sexual assault?

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We’ve discussed Rapex (now Rape-aXe) before. A South African doctor invented the anti-rape condom that is meant for women to keep inserted inside themselves so when they’re sexually assaulted, the device latches onto a rapist’s penis. Well, it looks like the device is making its rounds in the media once again (because you know, penis traps are catchy — no pun intended). But how effective is it really?
We all want to develop new ways to prevent sexual assault and hold offenders accountable — so if this condom helps one woman, that is incredible. But it’s also problematic in a number of ways, including the fact that it’s not completely effective in preventing sexual assault — after all, the person wearing it would still be assaulted. This is also not to mention that there is more than one way a person can be raped.
Perhaps more importantly, the condom seems to support the idea that women are solely responsible for their own safety and doesn’t address ways that we can be preventing men from raping; it just has women anticipate it. Victoria Kajja, a fellow for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Uganda tells CNN:

“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.”

Inventor Dr. Sonnet Ehlers, however, says “drastic measures” need to be taken. Thoughts?

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