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.
All instructors must meet certain standards before teaching a R.A.D program or session.
“We have ten instructors, and we all must complete a 30 hour course and are tested at the end by written exam,” said Cavada.
According to the Mesa Police, Mesa is currently the college campus in San Diego to have the most participants who attend and complete the program.
“We have a very significant program here at Mesa; our instructors are much more active in maintaining the program, not once have we cancelled the program due to lack of participants. During the past semesters we have had a larger turn out then San Diego State,” said Doherty.
R.A.D. is only offered to female students and staff. There is no age limit or any physical standers nor any experience needed to participate in the program. Once completed students are given booklets on the techniques learned during the program in order for further practice. The female students also have the option of participating in the advance course where more in-depth training is given.
“During our last class we have a simulation practice, where you show all you learned. It is also videotaped to see how you performed,” said Cavada.
According to Cavada, former students have used the defense techniques learned in the R.A.D. program in real life situation.
” Two years ago a former R.A.D student was in a bar and a man would not leave her alone, she used some techniques learned in the program, and the man left her alone,” said Cavada.