Women are now mobilizing to put the RAPEL company out of business. RAPEL is a little product that retails for a cool $8.95.  It consists of a plastic case containing a skunk oil capsule.  Women are advised to wear it 24 hours a day clipped to their bra.  When attacked, they are to hit the capsule, thereby releasing the skunk oil which is supposed to smell so overpowering that it will drive men away.

In the words of LeBlond Industries Ltd. (the company that distributes RAPEL in the Lower Mainland) :

"Rapel is based on the idea that if you cannot ward off an attacker, you repel yourself from him by squeezing a small capsule worn on the underclothing, preferably down the centre of the front of the bra, with capsule inside and the clip outside.  When the capsule is squeezed, it breaks a glass ampule inside releasing a few drops of liquid through the perforated holes onto the wearer.  This liquid emits the strongest odor known to nature.  The reaction is immediate and definite; the attacker is surprised and repulsed by the odor and immediately wants to get AWAY from the area."

In November of 1978,  LeBlond Industries Ltd. sent 2 well dressed female representatives into our office looking for our official endorsement of the product.  Rape Crisis Centres all across the country were approached, and Rape Crisis Centres all across the country examined the product and unanimously said NO WAY.  LeBlond lay low for about a year and a half and has recently accelerated his advertising campaign. RAPEL is now advertised on TV and in major U.S. magazines.  It takes a lot of bucks to run a campaign like that.  We find the product idea offensive and degrading to women and are disgusted that the manufacturers and distributors of RAPEL are turning a tidy profit by exploiting women's fears.  We consider the product ineffective and dangerous.  The danger exists when women come to rely on this gimmick for personal safety.  Once again we are directed to let men off the hook for their violent behaviour and to pay dollars into a corporate coffer for our own protection.

What You Can Do:

1. Call Mr. LeBlond at home and tell him how appalled you are.   Ask him how much money he made last year exploiting the conditions of your life. 
2. Write to LeBlond Industries Ltd. and demand that they cease distributing RAPEL.  P.O. Box 82387, Burnaby B.C., V5C 5P8.
3. We have written a letter to store owners who have RAPEL on their shelves demanding that they cease selling it.  If you know of a store that is marketing RAPEL, send us the address and we'll contact them. Be sure to talk to the manager yourself and tell him why you are boycotting his premises.   We'll be publishing lists of the stores to avoid.  We have also written to LeBlond Industries and demanded that they go out of business.