Any woman who feels unsafe at times or simply wants to learn how to better defend herself will have the opportunity to do so this month. Starting Monday, the IU Police Department will offer a Rape Aggression Defense course that will be taught by certified instructors in the Activity Room at Campus View Apartments.\n“Most women aren’t taught self defense growing up,” said IU Police Department Sgt. Leslie Slone, an instructor for the RAD course. “Most women aren’t taught how to be assertive if they have to be. This gives them the chance to think about that in a comfortable situation.”\nThe course is offered to all Bloomington residents and is free of charge, Slone said. Women can register for the class at any time leading up to Monday’s first class.\n“I’m disappointed because we only have one or two signed up,” Slone said. “I would like to see many more. We think it’s an excellent opportunity to increase awareness of personal safety.”\nEach class lasts for three hours from 6 until 9 p.m. During the first session, women will discuss personal safety and crime-prevention issues, Slone said. The next six hours are used to teach the actual techniques of self defense.\n“It’s important for women to have response options,” Slone said. “Many women feel they will rely on their boyfriend or even their dog. There will be a time where they don’t have those things. That’s why it’s important to have options than to have none at all.”\nParticipating women receive a chance to apply their training during the final three hours of the course through dynamic simulation, Slone said.\n“I think it gives them practical and real life solutions,” said IUPD officer Matthew Keithley, an instructor for the class. “After the class, it’s always their option to do whatever they feel comfortable with. We’re not telling them to act or not act. They’re the ones in the situation.”\nWomen in the class are taught a variety of fundamental skills, including knowing how to respond to an attacker verbally and physically. Basic techniques, including wrist blocks, how to defend themselves with hand strikes, kicking and ground techniques are also taught. \n“Women are the people who are attacked,” said IUPD Sgt. David Rhodes, an instructor for the class. “Guys fight and guys try to control women. It’s important that women know that they can fight back.”
\nRhodes also has a martial arts studio called Ryukyu Kyusho, which holds a women’s self-defense class every other month. The next class will be held Feb. 23.
“The hardest part is walking through the door because they don’t know what to expect,” Rhodes said. “We teach serious skills, but it’s a fun class. We teach a winning mindset. No matter what’s occurring, you can win. You keep going until you win.”\nSlone said anyone who is interested in registering for the class can contact her at lslone@indiana.edu or call her at 855-4290.\n“I hope women bring out of this an understanding that they do have a say in personal safety,” Slone said. “They can learn how to increase their personal safety and learn measures of how to regain their personal safety.”
