The Situation Of Sexual Assault Is So Bad That People Are Inventing Anti-Rape Devices. Because Men Can’t Be Stopped

The Situation Of Sexual Assault Is So Bad That People Are Inventing Anti-Rape Devices. Because Men Can’t Be Stopped

The rape culture, not only in India but around the world is proving to be a massive threat. Women are in danger of getting assaulted no matter where they are or what they are doing. There have been cases of women who are raped in their own homes and that has made it crystal clear that women are not safe anywhere. We are groped, assaulted, eve teased and shamed for things we have no control over and yet somehow most of the time we are to be blamed when some man just can’t keep it in his pants.

If you go into the psychology behind rape, it isn’t just about a horny man who didn’t ask for consent. Don’t get me wrong, that is obviously one of the primary factors. But a lot of little things like masculinity, pride and showing dominance also play a huge role. The day we can teach these men that none of that matters if a woman does not consent, is the day we will have no rapes.

But that is a long way down the road. Right now, we struggle to even walk on the streets after sunset. Getting the men to listen and understand seems like a distant dream at this moment. It’s like we know the cure to this disease that has plagued our society, but we can’t access it. However, that doesn’t mean that we can’t fight the symptoms.

Also Read: A 9-Year-Old Girl In Unnao Was Raped, Had Her Intestines Ruptured And Was Killed On The Day Of Holi. We’ve Lost Our Humanity

Okay, I feel like we are spiraling into confusion here. This is not a story about coronavirus, this is a story on how we can fight back if someone tries to sexually abuse us. For now, let’s talk only about India. I am sure by now you know why today is a day that is worthy of celebration, right? Yep, the Nirbhaya convicts were hanged this morning.

This 2012 case was so heinous that it has left a huge scar on all Indian women. After the case was reported, women protested, held candle marches and memorials for the 23-year-old victim. As noble as that was, the case also frightened us to our core and raised a hundred questions about our safety. Though Nirbhaya got justice almost eight years after the incident, it is important to ensure the safety of women immediately.

To combat exactly that, in 2013, three engineering students introduced a device that was just the need of the hour- electrifying underwear. This underwear that they called Society Harnessing Equipment (SHE) could emit up to 82 to electric shocks of 3,800 kV. The founders said that it was enough to leave the assailant’s hand with some serious burns. Not only that, once this device detects unwanted force, but it would also send an SMS to the girl’s family and the police. What a kickass idea!

Though, this is not the only one of the devices that have been made to fight back if you are ever attacked. Just earlier this year, engineer Shyam Chaurasia introduced lipstick gun, which would act as a device against assaulters. It looks like a regular cosmetic but sets off a loud bang and alerts police when activated.

Also Read: An Online Petition Exposes Pornhub’s Blatant Misuse Of Rape And Abuse Video. This Is Vile And Action Needs To Be Taken

This is just India, devices like these are used all around the world. Last year, Japan created an invisible ink stamp to mark the men who groped women on public transports. To everyone’s surprise, it sold out within an hour of its launch. In 2010, Sonnet Ehlers, a former blood transfusion technician in South Africa pitched an idea for a condom with an inward-facing barb wire. The product called Rape-aXe would be worn by the woman like a tampon. It would not prevent rape but ensure the rapist is punished, obviously. Though, much to everyone’s dismay this product failed since they couldn’t gather enough funds and it also provoked a whole lot of backlash.

Some of these devices are met with a lot of applaud for their genius, while some are met with laughter and criticisms for the outlandish features. Like for instance, in 2007 Japanese fashion designer Aya Tsukioka introduced a line of apparels that were meant to deceive and confuse a perpetrator. She introduced a handbag that looked like a manhole cover. The idea was that if someone mugged the woman carrying it, she could drop it on the ground and pretend she didn’t have a purse on her.

The line also included a bag pack that, when unfolded can hide a child behind what looks like a fire extinguisher box. But the best piece of clothing from that entire line was a normal looking red skirt that could transform into a vending machine to help the woman hide from an attacker. This particular piece received a lot of attention.

When we talk about these anti-rape devices, we obviously know that they aren’t useful in a large picture. Electrocuting someone who tries to grope you will not help contain the rampant rape culture that is on the rise. But, do you know what it will do? Save you from getting assaulted or worse.

Every woman needs to be aware of these options because their only purpose is to help women protect themselves. But it would be far more effective if men didn’t act like assholes.

https://thehauterfly.com/lifestyle/19-year-old-gets-raped-twice-in-two-hours-in-separate-incidents-by-3-men-this-just-keeps-getting-worse/

Mitali Shah

Read More From Mitali
Seen it all?

We’ve got more!