Course improves students' confidence

Self-defense classes continue to be a popular course offered at IU.\nStudents in the IUPD's program and the School of Health, Physical Education and Recreation E151 self-defense class claim their confidence has increased and their perception of feeling safe has skyrocketed since taking a self-defense course. \nThe IUPD has been training students in self defense for 10 years, IUPD's Sergeant David Rhodes said. Enrollment remains steady and remains a concern for those teaching and those participating. A Rape Aggression Defense program is offered along with private sessions. R.A.D. is a national program offered to women only. The BPD and Bloomington Hospital also offer a R.A.D. program at different times throughout the year. \n"(Most women) think they are weak or have been told they are weak. They come looking for strength. There are a lot of options out there," said BPD Officer Tristy Walters, an RAD instructor, in a Jan. 8 IDS article. "(Self-defense) requires a very small amount of strength."\nViolence against women continues to be an issue in the U.S. Physical assaults against women resulted in more than 5,000 deaths and one million injuries per year in the U.S, according to a 1999 American Journal of Epidemiology report.\nA few weeks ago, Rhodes sponsored a new, personal program, which included four days of two-hour sessions focused on defending against attackers. \nIn E151, students learn how to fall, punch, kick, roll and get up fast. In the program offered by the IUPD, they focus on pressure points and "different options that women should be aware of." \nRhodes said there are always one or two "survivors" in a class. Survivors are people who have survived a personal attack or trauma. \nAlthough all participants in both programs are women, instructors are primarily male. Rhodes said he does this intentionally to prove his tactics are effective against male attackers. \nFreshman Amanda Matan, a student in E151, has a male instructor, and she said before this class she never thought she could defend herself or hurt someone else because of her size.\nTo learn more about self defense classes, contact the school of HPER, the IUPD at 855-4111 or Sgt. Rhodes' Web site.