7 ms·

A Wrist-Worn Answer to Sexual Attack?

16 points by mikeleeorg 14y ago

readme 14y ago
>“I don’t think this will make any difference in controlling rape cases,” says Sehba Farooqui, a woman’s rights activist in Delhi. I agree. I don't think someone desperate enough to rape will care if their victim has a wristwatch that can sms instantly. A good amount of potential rapists aren't even going to know about them, even if the government advertises it. A large portion of those who know either won't care, or will rip the watch off the woman. What would actually help stop a rape is some pepper spray. I don't know the legality of that in India, but I have to say a lot of places in the US make it way too difficult to acquire this very basic and effective self defense item.
- deleted 14y ago
  [deleted]
- king_jester 14y ago
  > What would actually help stop a rape is some pepper spray. I don't know the legality of that in India, but I have to say a lot of places in the US make it way too difficult to acquire this very basic and effective self defense item. Self defense gear isn't a great systemic solution to sexual assault and rape, esp. when it occurs with great frequency and police do not take such cases seriously. Even in the US most sexual assault cases will never see an arrest or prosecution and most people are assaulted by someone they know, not by a random stranger on the street.
  - deleted 14y ago
    [deleted]
  - readme 14y ago
    >most people are assaulted by someone they know, not by a random stranger on the street. Absolutely true > Self defense gear isn't a great systemic solution to sexual assault and rape Absolutely true, they are not a systemic solution. They are an individual's solution who chooses to take responsibility for his or her own safety. A good systemic solution might be to legalize and subsidize brothels?
    - king_jester 14y ago
      Stopping sexual assault isn't just an individual's problem, it is a problem for all of society. Why should we live in a culture where 1 in 5 women will experience sexual assault in their lifetime? The kind of systemic problems we face can't be solved by an individual buying a self defense item. We need to focus on defeating a rape culture: http://www.shakesville.com/2009/10/rape-culture-101.html http://www.shakesville.com/2009/10/rape-culture-101.html
  - deleted 14y ago
    [deleted]
- icebraining 14y ago
  desperate enough to rape Why do you say rapists are desperate?
exabrial 14y ago
The smoking barrel of a 9mm is far more effective, if legal to get a CCL in your state.
- nsxwolf 14y ago
  Come now! Surely the rapist would just snatch it from her trembling hand!
  - cobrausn 14y ago
    I hope this was an ironic attempt to demonstrate the sexism inherent to that kind of argument against self-defense.
    - nsxwolf 14y ago
      Aye, it was.
- incision 14y ago
  Guns: They Make You Invincible
  - cobrausn 14y ago
    Guns: Provably better than snark at preventing and stopping rape.
    - incision 14y ago
      Snark: Not an unreasonable response to predictable [1], pointless chest-thumping. A reasonable discussion of rape defense / deterrents or even gun ownership would be fine. A quip that romanticizes "the smoking barrel of a 9mm" like it's just that simple is pure bullshit. 1: http://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=4948542 http://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=4948542
    - Avshalom 14y ago
      Then prove it.
iapi 14y ago
indian government should pass a law on allowing tazers
alan_cx 14y ago
So, basically they have come up with a novel way to track their women. Might be a bit of a doubled edged sword.
matt_ 14y ago
A gun? Pepper Spray? You have no idea how the rapist will react to that. And someone shouldn't have to have the burden of ending another human's life just to not be attacked.
- cobrausn 14y ago
  What is with this absurd first world notion that nobody should ever have anything bad ever happen to them in their life? Self-defense has been part of being alive since the dawn of humanity - living in a civilized (to various degrees) area doesn't negate that. You are either prepared to do what needs to be done to protect yourself, or you rely on passive measures (living in a nice area, avoiding dangerous situations, etc.) and hope you don't become a victim.
  - hnriot 14y ago
    It's a first world notion because that's part of being a first world country. We invest in infrastructure that provides protection. Self-defense has shifted to the much more efficient system where by individuals don't walk around armed because we pay into a system of government that provides both police forces and military defense. The absurd idea that we all each take self defense into our own hands is just ridiculous, just as you don't build your own water supply, or generate your own electricity, or train to be a doctor just in case you get sick. I can't imagine a more dangerous society where we all take self-defense into our own hands. It wouldn't be the first world if we did that. Let's not start spouting the gun toting nonsense here, the audience on hn is too smart to buy that.
    - cobrausn 14y ago
      'Gun Toting Nonsense'? God this is absurd elitist bull - the type of drivel spouted from the mouths of people who assume the argument is already won by virtue of their 'superior minds'. I'm guessing you live in a wonderful neighborhood with great police protection, low crime, and are not part of the demographic that is often targeted for assault. I'm happy you get to live your wonderfully enlightened progressive existence. The rest of us will just become one of those statistics that happen when you 'offload' your rights, yes? Of course you don't take your self defense completely in to your own hands - we live in a civilization so that we can organize and protect each other. But, ultimately, you are the only one who can ensure you stay alive. To think otherwise is pretty naive, or comes from a position of entitlement. For the interest of full disclosure, I keep a firearm in my vehicle and one at home. My wife concealed carries. We live in a neighborhood with fairly regular home invasions, and even a few murders over the last few years. We plan on leaving as soon as student loans get paid and we can.
pm90 14y ago
Basically, the Indian govt. is trying to show that its "doing something" to cool down the public temper after the recent rape incident. Mr.Sibal's last comment is enlightening: >Still, the effort may be of some value. Mr. Sibal noted that, with the same technology, parents would be able to keep tabs on their children. What happens is: the agency that developed this device has to justify their funding. So they come up with these bullshit ideas.
charliepark 14y ago
Wouldn't it be more effective if coupled with some distinctive and excruciatingly-loud alarm, as a means of drawing attention to the scene / getting the attacker to flee before doing anything?
king_jester 14y ago
For those advocating arms (pepper spray, taser, gun, etc.) as a solution, please get some basic facts straight. * Most people who are sexually assaulted know their attacker and are not attacked randomly on the street. This makes self defense scenarios unrealistic, as there is already some level of trust between an attacker and the survivor * Most sexual assaults will go without arrests and prosecution. There have already been cases where women have been arrested and sent to jail for self defense (CeCe Mcdonald's case comes to mind), including the Marissa Alexander case where someone fired a warning shot at their abuser and was sent to jail: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Angela_Corey#Marissa_Alexander_case http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Angela_Corey#Marissa_Alexander_... * Sexual assault and rape aren't just about incidents, it is about a culture that supports rapists and demonizes survivors and dismantling that culture is the best way to defeat sexual assault
- cobrausn 14y ago
  Statistics don't comfort the victims that could have done something but were restricted from doing so, usually by people who already live safe lives and want them to be safer. And your second example basically says 'we will prevent you from defending yourself, so just take it and hope the system saves you'. And if you think this culture 'supports rapists and demonizes survivors', you are in need of getting your facts straight. EDIT: I'm beginning to take this whole thing a bit personal. I learned a long time ago to call it quits when that starts to happen on the internet, so I'm out.
  - king_jester 14y ago
    My main point is that most people won't have a chance to protect themselves, although I do agree 100% people have a right to protect themselves. It's important to note that self defense isn't a solution to the overall problem and leave those in circumstances where its difficult to defend themselves without options (e.g. someone with a disability). My second example was to highlight that people defending themselves faces more prosecution than those actually committing assaults. The system will not help you, generally speaking, if you are a survivor of sexual assault and you are likely to be prosecuted for defending yourself. That is a part of rape culture, btw, the legal indifference towards rapists. For an overview of rape culture, which is a real thing, see: http://www.shakesville.com/2009/10/rape-culture-101.html http://www.shakesville.com/2009/10/rape-culture-101.html
srean 14y ago
If you would please let me to vent: That sir is just fucking hogwash ! how the fuck is that going to fucking matter when the fucking police does'nt even take the fucking call. Thanks folks, and I normally dont speak like this. I have been following the incident closely http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2012_Delhi_gang_rape_case http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2012_Delhi_gang_rape_case and I had to get that out of my system. For those who have not been following this particular incident, as a measure of immediate damage control the govt had recently (quite grandiosely) announced a new number: 181. This was a "special" "fast track" number explicitly set up for responding to threats of immediate and sexual nature. Guess what, http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/delhi/Auto-driver-threatens-TOI-reporter-with-worst-violence/articleshow/17906753.cms http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/delhi/Auto-driver-th... The police, most of them are just incapable of conceiving the notion that they have a duty to respond (helpfully that is) when a woman is in danger. Forget responding to immediate threats, they will point blank refuse to even officially register the assault. Police officers who have been formally accused of molestation, have routinely got promoted to the top, suffered no consequence at all, won patronage from the highest elected officials of the state. This is almost the standard script, unless the whole country erupts in outrage. Sadly the latter doesnt happen very often. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SPS_Rathore http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SPS_Rathore http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/KPS_Gill#1996_conviction_for_sexual_harassment http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/KPS_Gill#1996_conviction_for_se...

16 points by mikeleeorg 14y ago

>“I don’t think this will make any difference in controlling rape cases,” says Sehba Farooqui, a woman’s rights activist in Delhi. I agree. I don't think someone desperate enough to rape will care if their victim has a wristwatch that can sms instantly. A good amount of potential rapists aren't even going to know about them, even if the government advertises it. A large portion of those who know either won't care, or will rip the watch off the woman. What would actually help stop a rape is some pepper spray. I don't know the legality of that in India, but I have to say a lot of places in the US make it way too difficult to acquire this very basic and effective self defense item.

deleted 14y ago
[deleted]
king_jester 14y ago
> What would actually help stop a rape is some pepper spray. I don't know the legality of that in India, but I have to say a lot of places in the US make it way too difficult to acquire this very basic and effective self defense item. Self defense gear isn't a great systemic solution to sexual assault and rape, esp. when it occurs with great frequency and police do not take such cases seriously. Even in the US most sexual assault cases will never see an arrest or prosecution and most people are assaulted by someone they know, not by a random stranger on the street.
- deleted 14y ago
  [deleted]
- readme 14y ago
  >most people are assaulted by someone they know, not by a random stranger on the street. Absolutely true > Self defense gear isn't a great systemic solution to sexual assault and rape Absolutely true, they are not a systemic solution. They are an individual's solution who chooses to take responsibility for his or her own safety. A good systemic solution might be to legalize and subsidize brothels?
  - king_jester 14y ago
    Stopping sexual assault isn't just an individual's problem, it is a problem for all of society. Why should we live in a culture where 1 in 5 women will experience sexual assault in their lifetime? The kind of systemic problems we face can't be solved by an individual buying a self defense item. We need to focus on defeating a rape culture: http://www.shakesville.com/2009/10/rape-culture-101.html http://www.shakesville.com/2009/10/rape-culture-101.html
- deleted 14y ago
  [deleted]
icebraining 14y ago
desperate enough to rape Why do you say rapists are desperate?

exabrial 14y ago

The smoking barrel of a 9mm is far more effective, if legal to get a CCL in your state.

nsxwolf 14y ago
Come now! Surely the rapist would just snatch it from her trembling hand!
- cobrausn 14y ago
  I hope this was an ironic attempt to demonstrate the sexism inherent to that kind of argument against self-defense.
  - nsxwolf 14y ago
    Aye, it was.
incision 14y ago
Guns: They Make You Invincible
- cobrausn 14y ago
  Guns: Provably better than snark at preventing and stopping rape.
  - incision 14y ago
    Snark: Not an unreasonable response to predictable [1], pointless chest-thumping. A reasonable discussion of rape defense / deterrents or even gun ownership would be fine. A quip that romanticizes "the smoking barrel of a 9mm" like it's just that simple is pure bullshit. 1: http://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=4948542 http://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=4948542
  - Avshalom 14y ago
    Then prove it.

iapi 14y ago

indian government should pass a law on allowing tazers

alan_cx 14y ago

So, basically they have come up with a novel way to track their women. Might be a bit of a doubled edged sword.

matt_ 14y ago

A gun? Pepper Spray? You have no idea how the rapist will react to that. And someone shouldn't have to have the burden of ending another human's life just to not be attacked.

cobrausn 14y ago
What is with this absurd first world notion that nobody should ever have anything bad ever happen to them in their life? Self-defense has been part of being alive since the dawn of humanity - living in a civilized (to various degrees) area doesn't negate that. You are either prepared to do what needs to be done to protect yourself, or you rely on passive measures (living in a nice area, avoiding dangerous situations, etc.) and hope you don't become a victim.
- hnriot 14y ago
  It's a first world notion because that's part of being a first world country. We invest in infrastructure that provides protection. Self-defense has shifted to the much more efficient system where by individuals don't walk around armed because we pay into a system of government that provides both police forces and military defense. The absurd idea that we all each take self defense into our own hands is just ridiculous, just as you don't build your own water supply, or generate your own electricity, or train to be a doctor just in case you get sick. I can't imagine a more dangerous society where we all take self-defense into our own hands. It wouldn't be the first world if we did that. Let's not start spouting the gun toting nonsense here, the audience on hn is too smart to buy that.
  - cobrausn 14y ago
    'Gun Toting Nonsense'? God this is absurd elitist bull - the type of drivel spouted from the mouths of people who assume the argument is already won by virtue of their 'superior minds'. I'm guessing you live in a wonderful neighborhood with great police protection, low crime, and are not part of the demographic that is often targeted for assault. I'm happy you get to live your wonderfully enlightened progressive existence. The rest of us will just become one of those statistics that happen when you 'offload' your rights, yes? Of course you don't take your self defense completely in to your own hands - we live in a civilization so that we can organize and protect each other. But, ultimately, you are the only one who can ensure you stay alive. To think otherwise is pretty naive, or comes from a position of entitlement. For the interest of full disclosure, I keep a firearm in my vehicle and one at home. My wife concealed carries. We live in a neighborhood with fairly regular home invasions, and even a few murders over the last few years. We plan on leaving as soon as student loans get paid and we can.

pm90 14y ago

Basically, the Indian govt. is trying to show that its "doing something" to cool down the public temper after the recent rape incident. Mr.Sibal's last comment is enlightening: >Still, the effort may be of some value. Mr. Sibal noted that, with the same technology, parents would be able to keep tabs on their children. What happens is: the agency that developed this device has to justify their funding. So they come up with these bullshit ideas.

charliepark 14y ago

Wouldn't it be more effective if coupled with some distinctive and excruciatingly-loud alarm, as a means of drawing attention to the scene / getting the attacker to flee before doing anything?

king_jester 14y ago

For those advocating arms (pepper spray, taser, gun, etc.) as a solution, please get some basic facts straight. * Most people who are sexually assaulted know their attacker and are not attacked randomly on the street. This makes self defense scenarios unrealistic, as there is already some level of trust between an attacker and the survivor * Most sexual assaults will go without arrests and prosecution. There have already been cases where women have been arrested and sent to jail for self defense (CeCe Mcdonald's case comes to mind), including the Marissa Alexander case where someone fired a warning shot at their abuser and was sent to jail: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Angela_Corey#Marissa_Alexander_case http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Angela_Corey#Marissa_Alexander_... * Sexual assault and rape aren't just about incidents, it is about a culture that supports rapists and demonizes survivors and dismantling that culture is the best way to defeat sexual assault

cobrausn 14y ago
Statistics don't comfort the victims that could have done something but were restricted from doing so, usually by people who already live safe lives and want them to be safer. And your second example basically says 'we will prevent you from defending yourself, so just take it and hope the system saves you'. And if you think this culture 'supports rapists and demonizes survivors', you are in need of getting your facts straight. EDIT: I'm beginning to take this whole thing a bit personal. I learned a long time ago to call it quits when that starts to happen on the internet, so I'm out.
- king_jester 14y ago
  My main point is that most people won't have a chance to protect themselves, although I do agree 100% people have a right to protect themselves. It's important to note that self defense isn't a solution to the overall problem and leave those in circumstances where its difficult to defend themselves without options (e.g. someone with a disability). My second example was to highlight that people defending themselves faces more prosecution than those actually committing assaults. The system will not help you, generally speaking, if you are a survivor of sexual assault and you are likely to be prosecuted for defending yourself. That is a part of rape culture, btw, the legal indifference towards rapists. For an overview of rape culture, which is a real thing, see: http://www.shakesville.com/2009/10/rape-culture-101.html http://www.shakesville.com/2009/10/rape-culture-101.html

srean 14y ago

If you would please let me to vent: That sir is just fucking hogwash ! how the fuck is that going to fucking matter when the fucking police does'nt even take the fucking call. Thanks folks, and I normally dont speak like this. I have been following the incident closely http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2012_Delhi_gang_rape_case http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2012_Delhi_gang_rape_case and I had to get that out of my system. For those who have not been following this particular incident, as a measure of immediate damage control the govt had recently (quite grandiosely) announced a new number: 181. This was a "special" "fast track" number explicitly set up for responding to threats of immediate and sexual nature. Guess what, http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/delhi/Auto-driver-threatens-TOI-reporter-with-worst-violence/articleshow/17906753.cms http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/delhi/Auto-driver-th... The police, most of them are just incapable of conceiving the notion that they have a duty to respond (helpfully that is) when a woman is in danger. Forget responding to immediate threats, they will point blank refuse to even officially register the assault. Police officers who have been formally accused of molestation, have routinely got promoted to the top, suffered no consequence at all, won patronage from the highest elected officials of the state. This is almost the standard script, unless the whole country erupts in outrage. Sadly the latter doesnt happen very often. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SPS_Rathore http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SPS_Rathore http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/KPS_Gill#1996_conviction_for_sexual_harassment http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/KPS_Gill#1996_conviction_for_se...