Controversial anti-rape device

I'm not sure my use of the word 'device' here is accurate but 'controversial' certainly fits the bill. The 'Rape-aXe' was invented by South African doctor Sonnet Ehlers after he heard about a rape victim saying she wished she had had teeth "down there" when she was attacked.

The item can be inserted into the vagina like a tampon but has 'spikes' that face inwards so as not to harm the woman, instead causing incredible pain to any sex attacker who would be unable to remove the object from his penis without professional medical help.

While Doctor Ehlers is clearly responding to a need to help victims - reports claim as much as one in four South African men have admitted to rape - I do believe he is going about it the wrong way. The article I read about this issue said that 'critics' think the use of such a device could potential cause more danger for women if their attacker retaliates to his wounding.

But the other point worth mentioning is that this is hardly a preventative measure. The woman wearing this thing will still have been raped, it's just that she has got a little of her own back in the process. Now perhaps for some that is enough, but I doubt it would make most feel better in the long run, and it certainly wouldn't illiminate the trauma experienced in the aftermath. Perhaps also the attacker can then be turned over to the police by doctors identifying and removing the contraption but again, none of this has prevented the rape in the first place.

It is obviously a good thing that professionals with the ability to do something about this are trying to come up with ideas but the Rape-aXe is far from the answer, and it has to be said, women are not the only sex who can be violated in this way. A better solution for everyone needs to be found.

OUTRAGED!

Behold, an invader in our midst, brethren! Yesterday was a wonderful day for Paul and I as we attended the first day of Filmonik's boot camp and filmed on location in Manchester for much of the day.

However, during a much-deserved and much-needed rest, we stumbled upon the atrocity that is Sinclair's oyster bar, Manchester. In what was formerly (according to some of us, still is) a proud Lancastrian city, second only in the county palatine to Lancaster herself, this disgraceful public tavern sells only Samuel Smith beverages, and Samuel Smith nuts. Samuel Smith is a Yorshire brewery, dear friends! We must rise up against this travesty and boycott said bar until they stock Phoenix, Boggart Hole Clough and Boddingtons products - having said that, I think Boddington's left Manny a few years ago. OK, not Boddington's, then.

There are those who seek to suppress us, my Lanky-proud brothers and sisters, but always remember what those of us who strive to keep the war of the roses alive for as long as it's amusing, the Yorkshire Rose is nowt but a Lancashire red with albinism....

Why I deserve chocolate every day for a week....

I found a lot of slug slime on my rolykit, which I keep in the boiler cupboard, so I was going to disinfect it. The only problem was that when I opened the rolykit up just to double-check on things, the slug was still inside! It was huge and it looked unwell, and slugs look bad enough when in fine fettle!

Now, I have had an insane problem with slugs ever since childhood to the extent that I still occasionally have nightmares about them and the thought of including a picture of one here made me feel physically ill. My first reaction because of this phobia was to throw the rolykit in the dustbin outside. I soon realised that this was stupid because the rolykit itself had cost me £15 and I need the contents and couldn't afford to just chuck it all out (I've everything from stationary to art equipment, make-up and sewing materials in there).

My second urge was to ring someone to get them to come and get rid of it for me but then I realised that by the time they came the slug may well have managed to climb out onto the carpet, which would have been worse, at least in my head, anyway. On reflection, I think the reason the slug was dying was that it had perhaps crawled into the rolykit through the titchy hole near the fastener but then couldn't get out again. Serves it right; horrid little blighter.

Anyhow, it was obvious I had to get rid of it myself, which I did with an empty toilet roll card tube, with great difficulty. I was cringing the whole time and convinced I was going to be sick but I managed it. I rushed back into the house and quickly disinfected the rolykit and dashed into the bathroom to wash my hands.

By now the adrenalin was going round me like the clappers because I'd just had to do something that to me, is utterly unthinkable normally, and I didn't stop shaking until I'd chatted to two friends on the phone, done the washing up, had a peppermint tea and four packets of sweets, and made a casserole, all of which took over an hour.

Needless to say, there is no salt left for my chips now, as it's all in the boiler cupboard in case yesterday's invader was only a scout.