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Protection · Dignity · Justice
Protection · Dignity · Justice
Rape-Axe exists to give women a tangible, silent defence — and to ensure that perpetrators face justice. This is our story, our mission, and our commitment.
Dr. Sonette Ehlers spent decades in South African emergency rooms, treating survivors of sexual violence. The trauma she witnessed — and the systemic failures that followed — became unbearable.
She asked a radical question: "What if a woman could walk out of the hospital with something that would physically stop a rapist — and make sure he couldn't escape justice?"
That question led to years of research, prototyping, and testing. The result is Rape-Axe: a wearable, internal device that shifts the balance of power.
Our mission is not just to deter rape — it is to restore dignity to women and ensure that perpetrators are held accountable. Rape-Axe is a last-resort measure, but it is a powerful one.
We work with communities, healthcare providers, and NGOs to make Rape-Axe accessible to every woman who needs it. We believe that safety is a right, not a privilege.
We will not stop until every woman has the choice to protect herself.
We refuse to accept that nothing can be done. Rape-Axe is a breakthrough in personal protection — designed, tested, and proven.
We put power back into the hands of women. Rape-Axe is silent, invisible, and does not rely on anyone else — only the wearer.
Rape-Axe ensures that the evidence stays with the attacker. No he-said-she-said. No endless legal battles. Just facts.
From a doctor's anguish to a global movement for women's safety.
A dedicated team of innovators, advocates, and experts.
Decades of experience in emergency medicine. Her compassion and determination gave birth to Rape-Axe.
sehlers@rapeaxe.org.zaIndependent researcher and author. Handles media relations, administration, and strategic communications.
hlaubscher@rapeaxe.org.zaSpecialises in the legal framework surrounding Rape-Axe, including patents, liability, and regulatory compliance.
mlaubscher@rapeaxe.org.zaAcademic and advisor on public health policy, gender-based violence, and implementation strategy.
vandemerwe@rapeaxe.org.za