Giving women options

Sgt. Leslie Slone had never heard of the Rape Aggression Defense Systems program, which teaches women rape awareness, prevention and basic self-defense. Then, in the early 1990's, another officer told Slone about the program. After extensive training at Butler University, Slone was certified and started RAD at IU in 1997 with three other officers.\nRAD, the largest women's self-defense system in the country, trains women by teaching awareness, sharing crime prevention information and teaching physical response options. The RAD program is offered at many other colleges and universities as well. \nThe program is unique because it teaches self-defense for women without making them take a martial arts class.\n"The whole nature of RAD is defense against abduction; it is not a boxing match. RAD is all about teaching options," said Slone, an instructor. \nRAD is different than most self-defense programs because it is only for women, providing a comfortable setting without male competition, Slone said.\n"It is an ego-free environment," she said. \nThe 12-hour program meets for three four-hour sessions. During the first meeting, participants take part in a crime prevention discussion, and the instructor teaches the basic stance, striking motions and blocks. \nReviewing is important to the RAD program, and the second session begins with a review of the first. Kicks, ground fighting and joint manipulation are also taught and practiced during this second session.\nEven though the third section is optional, Training Sgt. David Rhodes emphasized its importance. \n"The last part is the most beneficial because women are able to use their techniques," Rhodes said. "It's empowering." \nThe last session, which Slone describes as the dynamic simulation, is an opportunity for a woman to learn her strength. \n"It is a whole different mind-set, turning energy against another person," Slone said. \nSlone said men have a greater tendency to participate in full-contact sports such as wrestling and football, while women might not have the same chance to gauge these strengths. But Slone said RAD gives participants three scenarios where they use the techniques they have learned. \nDuring the simulation, there are verbal and physical challenges to each woman's safety. The instructors act as aggressors and try to prevent the women from getting to a designated safe zone. Both the instructor and the participant wear protective gear to protect injury in the simulation. \n Another unique aspect of the RAD program is that a participant is able to practice her skills free of charge at any location in the country where RAD is offered. Staff member Carmen Wargel said she feels a greater sense of safety because of RAD.\n"I think one of the things (the instructors) made clear to me was that you could deflect a possible situation," Wargel said. "They give you some really good tactics." \nSlone said she recommends women take the program to see what it is like and to learn more.\n"Information is your friend, having defense options is information," she said.\nFor more information about the RAD program, contact the IU Police Department at 855-4111.