Rape Aggression Defense Systems

What is RAD?

Rape Aggression Defense Systems (RAD), is a program of realistic, self defense tactics and techniques. The RAD system is a comprehensive course for women that begins with awareness, prevention, risk reduction and avoidance while progressing on to the basics of hands on defensive training. RAD is not a martial arts program. Our course is taught by certified RAD instructors and provides you with a workbook/reference manual. This manual outlines the entire physical defense program for reference and growth. The RAD system of physical defense is currently taught at over 250 colleges and universities in the United States and Canada and is the largest women's physical defense program of its kind in the country. There are currently over 1,000 instructors worldwide and over 30,000 women have completed the RAD course. The growing widespread acceptance of this system is primarily due to the ease, simplicity and effectiveness of the tactics used, along with solid research and unique teaching methodology. The Rape Aggression Defense System is dedicated to teaching women defensive concepts and techniques against various types of assault, by utilizing easy, effective and proven self defense/martial arts tactics. Our system of realistic defense will provide a woman with the knowledge to make an educated decision about resistance. We operate on the premise that a spontaneous violent attack will stimulate a natural desire to resist on the part of the victim. We educate women about the "fight or flight" syndrome, while showing them that enhancing their option of physical defense is not only prudent, but necessary if natural resistance is effective.

A substantial privacy interest exists necessitating the offering of the Rape Aggression Defense ("RAD") course at the Indiana University of Pennsylvania in a single gender environment.  The College's decision is based on the following factors:

1.  The R.A.D. course is designed to provide women a secure and safe environment within which to develop psychological and physical self-defense strategies to protect against rape and violent assaults.   The course involves a combination of instruction, discussion, and physical activity aimed ad educating and empowering women to confront and address fears and anxiety associated with rape and violent assaults, and to assist them in developing coping and defense skills.

2.  In order to accomplish the goals of the course, participants will be encouraged and provided the opportunity to discuss and explore personal views, attitudes and experiences dealing with the very sensitive and traumatic topic of rape and sexual assault.  This dialogue, in combination with the other components of the course, is intended to empower women to take control over their personal safety and protection by understanding and exploring the risks, attitudes and fears associated with rape.

3.  The course will provide women with specific self-defense strategies and techniques for defending against violent attacks.  This will require close physical contact between course participants, including demonstration and execution of choke holds, aggressive bear hugs, attacking postures, self-defense attacks and escape techniques.

4.  Many course participants are survivors of rape and/or other forms of sexual violence.  This course provides those survivors, and ll other participants, with support, education, survival skills, confidence and training in order to assist them in regaining some degree of control over their lives and their personal safety.

The presence of men in the R.A.D. course would significantly undermine the design and goals of the course.  Specifically, the presence of men in the course, regardless of their degree of support or empathy for rape survivors, would stifle the open exchange of personal views and self disclosure that is central to the course's mission.  Further, having men participate in the physical defense aspect of the course with women, some of whom may have been rape or sexual assault victims, will be intimidating to say the least.  Overall, male participation in the course will dissuade women from registering for the course, create a significantly uncomfortable dynamic in the training sessions, impede frank and open discussion of sensitive and private topics, and inhibit the overall participation of women enrollees.

Clearly, when women are brought together through the R.A.D. course to discuss and examine issues like rape, sexual assault and efforts and strategies to defend against such, substantial privacy issues exist.  Given the goals and objectives of the R.A.D. course, the likelihood that some participants will be rape/sexual assault survivors, the requirement of physical contact, and the desire to provide participants with secure learning environment, is is the College's view that substantial privacy interest compel the offering of this course in a single gender environment.

Upcoming R.A.D. Courses

Course Description

Class #1

     The first class includes an overview of the course and covers risk reduction strategies and personal safety tips. Discussion is encouraged and the style is more interactive than lecture. The class is approximately 3 hours in length.

Class #2 and Class #3

     In the second and third classes, each of which are three hours, the students learn the physical tactics to defend against attack and to escape and survive a sexual assault.

Class #4

     The last session, is the simulation. Students have the opportunity to apply what they have learned in the previous classes. One or more instructors will suit  up in protective gear and the students will participate in several scenarios. The students are also issued protective headgear and gloves. The wearing of kneepads and elbow pads, as well as mouth guards is also recommended. The simulation is videotaped and each student views the various attack situations. This provides immediate feedback on student performance.

The cost of the R.A.D. Course is $10.00 which includes a student manual and an unlimited return and practice policy.  For more information or to schedule a class, contact Officer Andrea Campbell of the Crime Prevention Unit.