Rape-aXe Had Razor-Sharp Teeth to Trap Rapists in 2010, but What Happened to the Controversial Device?

In the summer of 2010, a vicious device called Rape-aXe was gaining all kinds of attention from the media. The device was invented as an “Anti-Rape” device by Dr. Sonnet Ehlers. 

Rape-axe, as its name suggests, was made to curb rape and help rape victims during difficult situations. 

The Rape-aXe condom had a latex-like texture with razor-sharp barbs coming out of it and it was supposed to be worn by women like a tampon.  The idea behind the device was that when an attacker tried to forcefully penetrate a woman’s vagina, his penis would get caught between the razor sharp teeth of the Rape-aXe condom and cause discomfort to the rapist.

Beyond causing pain and potentially allowing a victim to escape, the device was also conceived as a way to help identify an alleged attacker. Patent records describe the invention as a “rapist identifier cum rape victim protector.”

In 2010, during an interview with CNN, Dr. Sonnet Ehlers explained the story behind her invention. She said in 1968 when she was working as a medical researcher, one night a rape victim walked towards her looking very disturbed and lifeless at Kimberly Hospital.

Dr. Sonnet said, “She looked at me and said, 'If only I had teeth down there,' I promised her I'd do something to help people like her one day."  So forty years later she invented Rape-axe.

Dr. Ehlers wanted to distribute the anti-rape condoms across many cities in South Africa during the 2010 Football World Cup.  

She explained that once an attacker's penis gets caught between the barbed teeth-like structure on the condom, only a doctor was able to remove it. 

She said, “It hurts, he cannot pee and walk when it's on. 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." 

Also see: Odisha Horror, Ayush Doctor Detained After 14-Year-Old Girl Alleges Rape During Medical Exam at Ganjam Clinic

During the 2010 World Cup season, Dr. Ehlers started a campaign to give 30,000 Rape-aXe devices for free to women in South Africa because she assumed there could be a sharp rise in rape in South Africa since many men were attending the football games. 

According to CNN, she sold her car and house to start the project. 

Her campaign gained a lot of attention from the media as well as other scholars, scientists and psychologists.

The Rape-aXe condom faced many critical reviews. Victoria Kajja from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in the East African country of Uganda called the device a form of “enslavement.”

Victoria said, “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." 

She said that the device gives the victim a false sense of security and also adds to psychological trauma.

Another problem that was associated with Rape-aXe condom is that, even though it was advertised as a rape prevention device but for the device to work, penetration was required. Critics said that women could face more violence from men trapped by the device.

Human Rights Watch reports that South Africa experiences some of the world's highest rates of sexual violence. According to the organization, a 2009 study by the country's Medical Research Council revealed that 28 percent of surveyed men admitted to raping a woman or girl, with 5 percent (one in 20) stating they had committed rape within the previous year. 

According to the latest figures cited by Explain from the South African Police Service, 9,201 rape cases were recorded in the first quarter of the 2026–27 financial year, though reported cases represent only a portion of sexual violence.

Also see: Delhi HC Refuses to Quash Summons Against Dr. Poonam Mishra in Minor Rape Victim’s Abortion, Upholds Trial Court Order

According to a report by Explain, in 2008, Dr. Sonnet met Vincent Leskowich who is a medical engineer. In 2010, they came together to build the Rape-aXe device further so that it could be launched for use.

Dr. Sonnet said that Leskowich was responsible for working towards making a prototype of the device as well as for providing financial statements regarding the financial assistance that they gained from crowdfunding, including PayPal and Gofundme.

However, Leskowich shifted to China and later to Saudi Arabia and eventually his relationship with Dr. Sonnet deteriorated over the years. 

According to Dr. Sonnet, Leskowich failed to provide her with a commercial prototype and the samples that he promised to deliver by 2023. 

She also alleged that the crowdfunding accounts were still active even when she asked him to close them and that he continued to collect funding for a prod named “VenusGuard.”

Leskowich disagrees with Dr. Sonnet’s narrative about their relationship. He told Explain, through an email. He wrote, “Under applicable patent law co-inventors generally hold equal undivided shares in the patent, absent any agreement to the contrary.”

Dr. Ehlers also provided documents to Explain. She issued Leskowich a formal 90 day notice to end his involvement with the project, stop the crowdfunding accounts and remove any digital content that he made to raise funds.

Dr. Sonnet has since handed the matter to her lawyer, though Leskowich continues to dispute her stance on his rights.

(Rh/ARC/MSM)