|
USU offers self-defense class
for women
By Sarah
Miller
October 20, 2008 | Utah State University is offering
a way for female students to learn self-defense and
gain awareness. The physical education class, offered
on campus, officially called
Rape Aggression Defense (R.A.D.), is a women-only
course taught by USU campus police officers.
The R.A.D. course is focused on developing and enhancing
self defense options, so that women will know what their
choices are if attacked.
Former R.A.D. student Mary Ince said, "I would definitely
recommend the class. It's a lot of fun, you get to meet
new people and it's a good step in learning self defense."
She added that the class teaches you to think about
how you would react in different circumstances.
R.A.D. Systems
was founded in 1989 by Larry Nadeau, a former United
States Marine. It is a nationwide program that has educated
over 300,000 women on self-defense. R.A.D. is designed
to help the average woman, with no experience in self-defense
or other physical skills training. It is the only program
with a free lifetime return and practice policy.
The class concentrates on teaching techniques and
providing simulations that have been developed and proven
throughout the years of the program.
Kylie Arbon, a current R.A.D. student said, "At first
I felt a little crazy running though the drills, but
as I got used to it, it became more fun and all the
girls really started to get into it."
The final for the class consists of an optional simulation
where students can test the skills learned throughout
the semester in "real world" scenarios. Students and
instructors "pad up" in order to be able to practice
techniques full out.
In addition to learning self defense techniques the
class also consists of lectures that teach the students
how to avoid potentially dangerous situations, what
emotional reactions could occur and what the options
are if attacked.
Rachel Brighton, the coordinator for Utah State University's
Sexual Assault
and Anti-Violence Information (SAAVI) office, teaches
a lecture each semester for the R.A.D. class about the
SAAVI program.
"The R.A.D. class is fun and it builds awareness,"
Brighton said. The key thing is that women often believe
they are not powerful, but when they walk out of the
class they have a better understanding of how powerful
they really are, she added.
SAAVI works to promote awareness through events they
hold throughout the year. One of the main events is
"Walk a Mile in Her Shoes," in which male students race
a one mile course around campus in high-heeled shoes.
Guys walking around in high heels attract a lot of attention,
Brighton said. This event is held annually in April.
SAAVI also has a bathroom project in which about 80
bathrooms around campus, both men's and women's, have
posters with information about SAAVI and CAPSA (Community
Abuse Prevention Services Agency).
SAVVI is there for anyone who has experienced some
kind of violence, Brighton said. "We want them to know
that they don't have to do it alone."
Brighton's advice for helping someone who is dealing
with sexual assault is to just listen to what they have
to say. We have two ears and one mouth and they should
be used in that order, Brighton said.
"Tell them you believe them, often their biggest fear
is that they won't be believed." It is also good to
let them know what their options are and what resources
they have available to them. Go with them, and support
them, Brighton added.
Brighton became involved in sexual assault and violence
awareness when she was a victim advocate at BYU and
did an assistantship with a similar program. For more
information on the SAAVI program visit their Web
site at or call 435-797-1510 for the office or 435-797-RAPE(7273)
for the SAAVI Hotline.
NW
MS
|
