The anti-rape female condom (aka anti-rape condom, intended brand name Rapex) was invented by Sonette Ehlers, a South African woman. It is intended to prevent rape by hooking onto an attacker's penis, hurting and disabling him.

The device is a latex sheath held firm by shafts of sharp, inward-facing microscopic barbs that would be worn by a woman in her vagina like a tampon. Should an attacker attempt vaginal rape, the penis would penetrate the latex and be hooked by the barbs, causing the attacker pain and (ideally) giving the victim time to escape. The condom would remain attached to the attacker's body and could be removed only surgically, which would alert hospital staff and police.

The Rapex would also act as a regular female condom, reducing chances of impregnation or STD infection.

The device was unveiled on August 31, 2005 in rape-ridden South Africa. Production will start the following year if severe criticism is overcome. The inventor hopes to have the product on the market in late 2006.

Critics, women included, have objected to Ehler's invention as "medieval" and "vengeful, horrible, and disgusting" [1] and oppose its planned sale in drugstores. Since the wearer of the condom exhibits no visible signals that she is using the condom, there is no visible deterrence for a prospective attacker, which adds to criticisms that the device is vindictive. This has furthermore caused concern that it could be worn for consensual sex as part of a malicious act of revenge or outright cruelty. Others fear that use of the device would enrage the attacker and further jeopardize the victim.