Protection · Dignity · Justice

How It Works

Science-backed.
Silently powerful.

Rape-Axe is a wearable internal device that requires no strength, no warning, and no co-operation from the attacker. Here is exactly how it works — and why it works.

Design principle Passive

Rape-Axe activates automatically — no button, no trigger, no decision required in a moment of crisis.

Evidence retained 100%

The device traps the attacker and retains forensic DNA evidence, removing doubt from prosecution.

Medical removal Required

The device can only be removed by a medical professional — meaning the attacker is led directly to law enforcement.

Step by step 5 stages
01

Before

She wears it.
Nobody knows.

Rape-Axe is worn internally, like a tampon. It is completely invisible from the outside and causes no discomfort during normal movement. The wearer goes about her day with no indication to anyone that she is protected.

It is designed for use in high-risk situations — travel, nightlife, conflict zones, or any context where a woman feels vulnerable.

02

During

Penetration triggers
the mechanism.

The moment penetration occurs, rows of inward-facing barbs — made from surgical-grade material — engage and attach to the attacker. The mechanism is entirely passive: no thought, no action, no strength required from the wearer.

The sensation is described as excruciating for the attacker. The attack stops immediately.

03

Immobilisation

He cannot remove it.
He cannot run.

The barbs grip tighter if the attacker attempts to pull away. Urination becomes impossible, and movement causes intense pain. This does not injure the wearer — the device is designed to affect only the attacker.

The attacker is effectively immobilised. Bystanders can summon help. The perpetrator cannot flee.

04

Evidence

DNA evidence is
preserved in place.

While attached, the device collects and retains DNA evidence directly from the attacker. This evidence is preserved in an unbroken chain of custody — secured inside the device, ready for forensic analysis.

For survivors who have historically faced disbelief or inadequate evidence collection, this is transformative. The perpetrator's DNA is already packaged.

05

Justice

Only a doctor
can remove it.

The device cannot be removed by the attacker alone. Medical intervention is required — and any hospital visit creates a forensic and administrative record that connects the perpetrator to the crime.

He cannot remove it in private. He cannot explain it away. He is walked directly into the justice system — by his own actions.

Medical design

Built to medical
grade standards.

Rape-Axe was designed by Dr. Sonette Ehlers — a medical doctor with decades of experience treating survivors of sexual violence. The device is not a weapon. It is a medical apparatus engineered with precision and clinical care.

It does not cause permanent harm to the attacker. It causes pain, immobilisation, and an irrefutable link to a crime scene. That is precisely what it is designed to do.

The materials used are body-safe and medically approved. It can be worn for extended periods with no adverse effects for the wearer.

Material Medical-grade latex and surgical barbs
Insertion Tampon-style applicator, worn internally
Activation Passive — no action required by wearer
Removal Medical professional only
Evidence DNA retained in situ, forensically viable
Harm to wearer None — device does not harm the wearer
Inventor Dr. Sonette Ehlers, South Africa
Status Internationally patented

Common questions.

Honest answers about how Rape-Axe works, its limitations, and its purpose.

No. The device is inserted and worn like a tampon. The barbs only engage outward — toward the attacker — and are designed to have no contact with the wearer's body during normal use. It is designed to be comfortable for extended wear.
No. Attempting to pull the device free causes the barbs to grip more tightly and increases pain significantly. The attacker cannot remove it himself — and any attempt to do so makes the situation worse for him. This is the core of the device's deterrent effect.
No. The device is designed to cause significant pain and immobilisation — not permanent injury. Once removed by a medical professional, the attacker does not sustain lasting physical harm. The intention is not mutilation; it is accountability.
Even if an attacker knows about Rape-Axe, they cannot know whether a specific woman is wearing it. The device is completely invisible externally. Its very existence as a widespread product is a powerful deterrent — the attacker can never be certain.
Each Rape-Axe device is single-use. After an incident — or after the recommended wear period — it is disposed of and replaced. This is consistent with standard medical device protocols and ensures reliability of the mechanism.
Rape-Axe is designed for situational use — to be worn during periods of heightened risk. Usage guidelines are provided with each device and should be followed as with any internal medical-grade product. It is not intended for continuous all-day daily wear.
Rape-Axe significantly strengthens the evidentiary basis for prosecution. The device creates a physical and forensic record that is difficult to contest. However, prosecution ultimately depends on law enforcement and the justice system — Rape-Axe removes the evidentiary barrier, not the systemic one.
Rape-Axe is a passive personal protection device. It does not require the user to perform any action — it responds automatically to an assault. Legal context varies by jurisdiction, and we recommend consulting local legal guidelines. In South Africa, self-defence provisions support its use.

Take action

Every woman deserves the right to protect herself.

Help us get Rape-Axe into the hands of every woman who needs it. Whether you donate, partner, or spread the word — it matters.

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