When someone says the word self-defense, the first image that comes to mind for many is a women repeatedly kicking a guy in the crotch.
Twenty female students are learning that self-defense is much more through the Rape Aggression Defense (RAD) course offered this semester through the UVM Police Services. It involves using their minds, voices, bodies and skills to stay safe.
Feb. 14 marked the second RAD class, which is offered in four-session courses on both Tuesday and Wednesday nights in Billings.
RAD is the largest self-defense program in North America, according to www.uvm.edu/police. RAD has over 2,000 instructors who have trained over 80,000 women in defensive concepts and techniques against various types of assaults.
Sue Roberts, RAD instructor and UVM Police Services member said that despite only having enough interest for one class last semester, both classes this semester are completely full.
The first class explained the aspects of awareness: risk reduction, risk avoidance, and developing a mindset to take physical action for self-defense.
During the second class the women practiced elbowing, hitting and punching a life-sized padded red dummy — physical moves they were taught were to be used as a last resort.
A major aspect of the course is using the voice. As the women carried out their physical moves they repeatedly yelled ‘no,’ or ‘stay back.’
“Everyone should do this,” junior Sam Husband said. “I feel as though it should almost be required of first-year girls, even if it was just offered at