Western Courier

Issue date: 10/21/05 Section: News

Media Credit: Cody Bozarth Students participate in a discussion about self-defense methods and reasons for protection. The meeting was the first of 3 sessions in the RAD program which strives to equip women with the knowledge and skills to defend themselves.

With the sun setting earlier and earlier, most students will be forced to walk alone in the dark at some point. The Rape Aggression Defense class is one way for female students and faculty members of Western Illinois University to learn how to protect themselves from being a victim of assault, sexual or not.

The RAD course consists of four classes totaling 12 hours of training. These classes offer a classroom-type session, a technique section and a simulation section where students are allowed to apply what they have learned.

The topics covered in the classroom section include avoiding victimization and recognizing patterns of a date-rape encounter.

After discussion and explanation of defense techniques, the students are then put into the simulation part of the course. Here they practice their defensive strategies and skills on instructors who are wearing protective gear designed for training.

Officers Nate Garlick, Derek Watts and Kelli Albanese, all RAD certified, are the instructors of this course. Officer Albanese has been teaching the course for three years now and has faith in the system.

"I was part of the first class that went through and I really liked it," Albanese said. "I expressed an interest in teaching it because I believe in the principals and its importance."

The program is held at the Spencer Recreation Center and is sponsored by the Office of Public Safety, Office of Student Judicial Programs and the Women's Center. Rumors that sexual assault cases have been on the rise, almost to epidemic level, are on the minds of many students, especially females. Bob Fitzgerald, OPS director, has denied that any truth exist in these rumors claiming that they are just that, rumors.

"It is difficult to measure if emergency call boxes and these classes help reduce sexual assaults. I think the university sees these as proactive measures that are taken to help provide a safe and secure environment on campus," Fitzgerald said.

The class cost is $20 per student; this includes the instruction as well as a RAD manual, which illustrates and explains techniques discussed in the class. Upon completing the course, the students are given a graduation certificate. Course graduates are able to repeat the course at no cost whenever it is offered in the future.

"This is a program all women should take advantage of. It was extremely helpful to actually have a hands-on experience," said Jessica Bunch, Western employee and RAD graduate. "After completing the course, I feel better prepared to defend myself if I ever get into a dangerous situation. It was definitely worth the time; the skills I learned were invaluable."

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