You know there’s something wrong with the world when someone has to manufacture anti-rape underwear in the 21st century.
Having recently reached their $50,000 goal through Indiegogo, AR Wear is set to begin the manufacturing of a product which it refers to as anti-rape wear. It’s designed running shorts, panties, leggings and traveling shorts which can allegedly only be taken off by the wearer.
According to its ad on Vimeo, its clothing is made with a fabric that has a skeletal structure that is nearly impossible to tear or cut off. Moreover, there are straps located on the thighs and waistband which can be locked into place and can be unlocked only by the wearer.
Its Indiegogo website describes the product as “a clothing line offering wearable protection for when things go wrong.”
Although the initial pitch seems sensible — groundbreaking, even — I can’t help feeling like there’s something fundamentally wrong here. Sure, the idea itself is understandable; people in general like to feel safer. I know people like to be prepared for whenever things do “go wrong.”
But this, like many others have noted, feels simply like a fancy chastity belt, a constant reminder of the possibility of being assaulted. As Slate writer Amanda Hess noted, “After all, nothing makes a woman feel comfortable in her own body like a constant physical reminder that she’s expected to guard her genitals against potential sexual assaults at all times.”
Moreover, the product seems to ignore the fact that most sexual assaults are not simply spontaneous, but are done by an acquaintance. In fact, according to a National Crime Victimization Study done in 2005, nearly two-thirds of rapes are committed by someone known to the victim.
But, there may be a circumstance for women who, after having taken off their anti-rape panties willingly, suddenly find themselves in a situation they no longer consent to.
Furthermore, this product simply going to ease the idea of victim-shaming. In a world where “Well, what were you wearing?” is a staple question for all rape victims, the absence of this miraculous anti-rape underwear makes my case less legitimate.
I can hear it now, like nails against a chalkboard: “Well … she forgot to put on her anti-rape underwear. It’s her fault for not taking the proper precautions.”
This product seems to ignore the larger problem of the rape culture that is ingrained in our society. As Alexandra Brodsky from Feministing points out, “If a predator realizes you’re wearing magic anti-rape underwear, won’t (he or she) just go find someone who isn’t?” The major problem here isn’t fighting back. Guns, knives, pepper spray — it’s all been done before. Although this anti-rape wear has the potential to help some women, it seems to be an only temporary fix for a very difficult problem.
“The solution to ending rape and sexual violence and violence against women and oppressive sexism is a cultural transformation,” said theater freshman Fleet Simons. “It’s not going to come from rape-resistant clothing.”
Simons added that the real problem “does not lie in women’s inability to defend themselves against rape. The problem lies in rape and the men who rape.”
At the end of the day, AR Wear’s product seems to be just another weapon women carry with them in the hope that they’ll be able to defend themselves. It feeds off the paranoia women all over the world have, the feeling we all get as we’re walking through a parking a garage or jogging in a park or having a few drinks with friends. It’s simply something crafted to convince women that our safety is guaranteed if we purchase this article and wear it everywhere we go. It’s not a solution — it’s not even close.
The only people who can stop rape are rapists. Until our society stops forgiving rapists, until boys and men are taught that consent is not as easy as not getting a “no,” until we stop victim-shaming and pointing fingers, we will not have a solution. Rape is not an easy fix. It never was.
Sorry, AR Wear. Not good enough.
Opinion columnist Carolina Treviño is an advertising freshman and may be reached at [email protected]
