2008 Woodie Awards
How to respond to rape and agression
William Felix
Issue date: 5/29/07 Section: News
Punching, kicking and grappling are just some of the defense techniques taught during the Rape Aggression Defense program or R.A.D. The program is offered to all Mesa women students and staff at no charge.
This nationwide program consists of four sessions or 12 hours, where the basic defense techniques are taught by trained professionals to prevent or how to respond to an aggressive attack.
"R.A.D. is very important to women," said R.A.D. coordinator Cynthia Cavada. "By making them feel confident, this is the most important aspect. The first part of the program begins with a lecture on awareness, being alert to potential problems. Then the basic defense techniques to respond to an attack, these techniques are designed for all women, regardless of experience, age or physical state."
The techniques used in the program are not martial art, instead they are realistic defense techniques that can be used during an attack.
" We teach the students how to strike with their palms, knee strikes and basic ground work. And many types of different options, in order from them not to freeze up if a technique doe not work, then you can go to your next option. And never give up, always be a survivor," said Cavada.
The Mesa Police Department encourages all women who attend or work on campus to participate in the program.
"I would encourage all women faculty and students to participate in the program," said Mesa Police Lieutenant Jack Doherty. "It's a great life skill, and you get the basic tools to deal with an aggressive attack. It is free to all women students in the San Diego Community College district."
R.A.D is a nationwide program that was founded by Larry Nadeau in 1989, and is recognized by the International Association of Campus Law Enforcement Administrators or IACLEA. The program is mostly offered on college campuses and community centers. According to the R.A.D. website, over 200,000 women and children from across the nation have participated in the program.
This nationwide program consists of four sessions or 12 hours, where the basic defense techniques are taught by trained professionals to prevent or how to respond to an aggressive attack.
"R.A.D. is very important to women," said R.A.D. coordinator Cynthia Cavada. "By making them feel confident, this is the most important aspect. The first part of the program begins with a lecture on awareness, being alert to potential problems. Then the basic defense techniques to respond to an attack, these techniques are designed for all women, regardless of experience, age or physical state."
The techniques used in the program are not martial art, instead they are realistic defense techniques that can be used during an attack.
" We teach the students how to strike with their palms, knee strikes and basic ground work. And many types of different options, in order from them not to freeze up if a technique doe not work, then you can go to your next option. And never give up, always be a survivor," said Cavada.
The Mesa Police Department encourages all women who attend or work on campus to participate in the program.
"I would encourage all women faculty and students to participate in the program," said Mesa Police Lieutenant Jack Doherty. "It's a great life skill, and you get the basic tools to deal with an aggressive attack. It is free to all women students in the San Diego Community College district."
R.A.D is a nationwide program that was founded by Larry Nadeau in 1989, and is recognized by the International Association of Campus Law Enforcement Administrators or IACLEA. The program is mostly offered on college campuses and community centers. According to the R.A.D. website, over 200,000 women and children from across the nation have participated in the program.
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