title: Self-defense or undermining the self? Exploring the possibilities and limitations of a novel anti-rape technology.
abstract: Despite decades of feminist-inspired law reforms, rape remains highly prevalent. While many continue to fight for broad cultural and institutional changes, some argue that more immediate interventions are required. Self-defense techniques represent a key strategy of resistance to rape, and empirical evidence suggests that women's active resistance may hold a number of positive benefits. In this essay, we compare the aims and objectives of a novel anti-rape technology, known as the Rape-aXe, with traditional self-defense techniques, focusing upon the potential for both to resist individual acts of sexual aggression and, more broadly, end gendered sexual violence.
authors.affiliation: Trent University, Peterborough, Ontario, Canada.
authors.forename: Deborah
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: White
authors.forename: Gethin
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Rees
mesh_terms: D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010413:Penis; D010806:Physical Education and Training; D011902:Rape / Q000517:prevention & control*; D012449:Safety; D013672:Technology; D014621:Vagina; D014754:Violence / Q000517:prevention & control*; D016387:Women's Health
keywords: rape; resistance; self-defense