Free RAD Classes Begin Feb. 17

University News

Free RAD Classes Begin Feb. 17

January 21, 2015

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MACOMB, IL -- To better prepare Western Illinois University female community members in defending themselves against potential assaults, WIU's Office of Public Safety (OPS) will offer the Rape Aggression Defense (RAD) course beginning Tuesday, Feb. 17.

The courses, which will run from 6-9 p.m., will be held Tuesdays, Feb. 17, Feb. 24, March 3 and March 10 in the Donald S. Spencer Student Recreation Center on the WIU campus. The class is designed for women only. Topics covered include avoiding victimization, patterns of date rape encounter, basic principles of defense, full-speed hands-on exercise and dynamic simulation training.

"I think every female on campus should take this class. It's well worth the time," said a RAD graduate. "The simulation exercise done in the final training session is an incredible learning experience. It helped us realize we really could put into effect what we had learned."

President Jack Thomas and the University's leadership team recently approved a waiver of the $20 fee for the WIU RAD classes; therefore, there is no cost for the 12-hour course, which is taught by RAD-certified police officers Jerry Allen, Kerrie Bishop, Jerel Jones, Derek Watts and Sarah Worthington. Lifetime re-training is also provided free of charge. Due to limited class size (20 per class), pre-registration is required. While WIU female students will be given first priority to enroll, all women are encouraged to participate.

The RAD courses are sponsored by Western's Office of Public Safety, the WIU Counseling Center, Office of Student Judicial Programs, Campus Recreation and the Women's Center.

For more information or to register, visit the Office of Public Safety (Mowbray Hall), call OPS at (309) 298-1949, or email KM-Bishop@wiu.edu.