Sara, you don't seem to understand the possible medical effects of this device. You say the rapist "will be hurt." Actually, it is more likely that he will die, considering that rapex disrupts his normal urinary functions.

Bob, the inventor of this device insists that it is not lethal. Of course, there is a caveat: the rapist must seek immediate medical attention in order to have "Rapex" removed. However, some--perhaps many--of these rapists (especially petty criminals and bandits) will shun hospitals or clinics in order to avoid identification and arrest. For these persons, the "encasing" (to use Ms. Ehlers's words)of the urinary opening will likely have fatal results. Shouldn't the criminal justice system assume responsibility for punishing these criminals, rather than a few centimeters of latex?

Sonette Ehlers, inventor of the Rapex, claims that it is neither “lethal nor fatal” to the rapist. However, examination of the structure of the device indicates that it can potentially cause catastrophic—even fatal—effects for the rapist. Ehlers claims that, once the penis is trapped inside Rapex, the rapist is unable to urinate. This is caused by the latex, held in place by a minimum of 30 barbs, stretched tightly over the tip of the penis. Therefore, the rapist’s urethral opening is effectively sealed. Bodily fluids cannot escape the Rapex, thus preventing contamination by the AIDS virus. However, the rapist is also prevented from urinating. If he seeks medical assistance immediately, the Rapex will be removed surgically and the normal urine flow restored. However, it is likely that the rapist will not seek medical help. He may fear being identified as a criminal, or he may fear the outcome of surgery on his penis. He may believe that, with sufficient persistence and force, he can remove the Rapex himself. Or, he may simply go into denial, hoping that alcohol and/or drugs will inhibit the pain caused by the barbs. At any rate, delay in seeking emergency treatment is also exacerbating his problem with urination. He cannot properly void his bladder (the latex sealing against his urethral opening is unyielding), and the bladder continues to receive fluid. Although the bladder is a flexible organ, it will eventually rupture when it can accommodate no more urine. Rupture causes the urine to spill into the chest cavity, followed by the rapists’s death. Thus, from a medical perspective, the few centimeters of latex clamped to the penis tip are a far greater threat than the barbs embedded in the shaft. Yes, the device is potentially fatal.