Women practice defending against attacks, rapists

Melanie RiedMelanie RiedDaily Pennsylvanian Staff Writer Dressed in helmets and gloves, they aggressively kicked and punched two men clad in protective pads. Taught by three University Police Officers, the Rape Aggression Defense (RAD) course's objective is to develop and enhance options of self-defense so that they become viable considerations of the women being attacked, Victim Support and Special Services director Maureen Rush said last night. Instructors are taught in an intensive three day, 40 hour course which tests them on both physical and written knowledge of defense. The RAD program itself, taught nationwide, takes 12 hours. It is held twice a week for three hours. The goal of the course is to teach different ways for women to resist attacks based on how the attack was executed. Various scenarios are acted out during the training, including being "attacked" while at a money machine, opening a car door, or walking down a street. Students in the course are also also taught what to do if the assailant has a knife or a gun. To make the role plays in the sessions feel realistic, the "assailants" make harassing comments toward the women before attacking. The women, in turn, shout things such as "no" and "go away" and are encouraged to keep yelling until they reached the designated "safety zone." During these role plays the other participants yell encouragement from the sidelines, and a supervising instructor gives assurances, comments and corrections to the defendant. The women are taught to try to avoid confrontation, however, and run to the safety zone as soon as they are able. Two women said they were taking the course to help prepare themselves for Penn Watch patrols. And many women at the workshop said the course gave them more confidence and they believe they will feel safer walking around the city now. Some also said they felt that the defense training was empowering. As Tony, a 14-year-old from the Philadelphia area, said, "You feel nobody knows your secret it's like you're superman or superwoman."