'Killer Tampon' Will Give Rapists The Chop

What do you think of that one? Personally I'm not sure I'd want to be wearing a switchblade in my vagina, but then that's just me! My question here is: if it chops anything that touches it, how do you get the thing out without losing a finger?

~KittenGoddess

Not very practical is it? And good question, how do you get it out?

I will not put anything like that in my vagina, thankyouverymuch.

This guy has too much free time on his hands. Thanks but no thanks.

Interestingly, I was talking to a friend about rape and she told me about this article she read recently. Rapists were asked how they picked whom to rape and they said that they usually picked:

- Women who tie their hair in a bun or a ponytail.

- Women who wear overalls. Or any clothing that can be easily slit open with something sharp.

And if you suspect the person following you might be a potential rapist, turn around and talk to him. Ask him for the time or something. Interesting stuff.

People are just becoming so creative today, not neccesarily in a good way, though. I don't prefer to have anything metal in my vagina, even less so with a sharp point. Nice idea, but not pratical.

Did any of you hear about the book a man (I think he was a psycologist) wrote that rape is an instinct in men? I think that although he may have some "proof", the idea is bogus. What about you?

And that killer tampon idea makes me cringe all the more. Welcome to 2001, here's your internally-worn chastity belt? No thanks.

Besides, for an internally-worn "killer tampon" to do any good, the rapist has to actually put his penis (or finger) into a woman's vagina... which means she gets raped ANYWAY, and then ends up with the guy's blood and dismembered penis bits inside her body. Some bargain. And oh, ever-so-safe in terms of HIV transmission. (What kind of medieval butthead thought this up?) Not to mention that many rapes do not include vaginal penetration: forced oral or anal sex is still rape, and a "killer tampon" ain't gonna do you a bit of good in those situations either.

As for what rapists look for: statistically, rapists look for people they can threaten and intimidate. Rapists come in all shapes and sizes AND SEXES. So do rape victims.

That said, if you feel like someone is being threatening, engaging them before they engage you -- like asking the time, or something -- can be helpful. If you are assertive, you are less likely to be perceived as someone that person can intimidate.

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Hanne Blank
Co-Editor, Scarleteen

Start a Revolution -- Stop Hating Your Body!

And I don't think I'd be comfortable wearing something like that either.

This is inane, especially coming from a country with such outrageous HIV stats.

Rapists aren't getting off on intercourse. They're getting off on P O W E R and control and intimidation. If it was about sex and intercourse, then I'd like someone to explain to me why my 72-year-old great-grandmother was raped, because while she was a lovely individual, I wouldn't exactly describe her as a sex bomb at that point. And as an aside, "resiting" rape does not "damage a woman internally." But gee gosh golly, a stiletto in her vagina just might cause some, dontcha think?

And the psychological damage caused by rape really isn't about penetration: it's about being victimized.

...and lastly, I shudder to think of what a rapist would do to a woman who severed his penis, especially since nipping off some of a penis isn't immobilizing.

*No woman has to wear this device.*

Isn't the mere suggestion that SOME women might be wearing it enough?

I was a psych major, ya know. ;]

But, seriously - you guys are all correct. Rape doesn't equal penis-in-vagina, and the guy who came up with this is a moron for thinking this would protect anyone (esp with the HIV aspect).

Ugh.

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~lemming, Scarleteen Advocate

I've been trying, and I can't imagine a situation where I would want to use such a thing... I'm pretty selective about what goes up in there, and sharp blades just aren't on the list. Just sounds like a bad idea! Still, I must admit, it seems like an inevitable idea, and I'm surprised if this is the first time someone's tried to make such a thing. I'll also be surprised if there's no market for it. It'll probably end up maiming some innocent people, but so does most of the technology we come up with, so I really can't bring myself to worry about it too much. Honestly, I think it's kind of amusing.

Its truly bizarre. I recommend it to anyone with a perverted taste to their humour.

As to the Killer Tampon, all I can suggest is some form of actual physical defence. Even chemical spray is a deterrent, if you're prepared. Or a knee to the crotch is likely to reduce the ardour of even the most serious rapist.

Further, given the frequency of date-rape, I'd question the value of this device. Would you wear it when going on a date?

The whole thing is really half-baked all around.

If people want to protect themselves, take a self-defense class. Take aikido or judo. Learn to run. Learn how to be street-smart. But of course, doing that would empower third world women in other ways, so gee, that'd be totally unacceptable, now wouldn't it?

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Heather Corinna
Editor and Founder, Scarleteen