Sexual and Domestic Violence Services at the Center works to educate the community about intimate violence, to support survivors, and to empower everyone to resist abuse.

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Rape Aggression Defense Self-Defense Class Rape Aggression Defense (RAD) Self-Defense Classes for Women

In spring 2012, there are two different opportunities to take classes. U.Va. students can take a class for credit:

PHYE 1040: Women's Self Defense (1 credit)
Wednesdays 2:30 p.m.–5:00 p.m
Starting January 18, 2012
(Register for class on SIS)

OR...

Students and community members can take the "regular" 6 week RAD Self-Defense Class for Women. The class will be conducted on Tuesday evenings from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. on these dates: 3/20, 3/27, 4/3, 4/10, 4/17, and 4/24. The cost of this 6-week course is $25 (a sliding scale is available). Pre-registration is required and class size is limited. Please contact Lisa Speidel at las7p@virginia.edu for more information.

The National Rape Aggression Defense (RAD) Program is an empowerment based course, designed to counter the stereotype that women are defenseless against an attacker. This course teaches women awareness of their physical strengths and abilities to use their bodies as personal weapons. RAD emphasizes a variety of options in practical risk-reduction and basic self-defense, recognizing that every situation is different and that no one choice is right for all women.

The RAD class offered by the Women's Center lasts for 18 hours. The first session includes a discussion about increasing awareness, risk reduction, and assertiveness training. The rest of the class covers learning different physical defense moves, such as getting out of certain holds, learning how to strike, kick and defend yourself from the ground. Much of the class is spent practicing these moves full strength on kick bags and pads, with the goal of making self-defense instinctual. There is also the option of realistic simulation, which entails a fully padded instructor reenacting attacks so students can apply moves learned to a live person. If someone is interested in practicing after a class, they may go to any other RAD class anywhere in the U.S. for free and practice.

What to look for in an appropriate self defense class:

  • Is at least one instructor a woman? This may not be too important for someone who has some experience in taking self defense classes, but it can be extremely important for a women who is just beginning instruction in resistance. If the instructor is male and has a macho attitude, this gives the wrong message to women: that only men are capable to defending themselves against male violence.
  • If there is an instructor pair, how do the two relate to one another? Are they equal partners, or does one dominate? A coed pair of instructors can be wonderful models of how men and women can relate to one another, but if that relationship is imbalanced toward the man, beware of the message he is conveying.
  • How does the instructor relate to the students? Does the instructor treat students with respect and model appropriate behavior?
  • Is the class overly large with a high teacher/student ratio? This may mean that each student does not receive adequate attention and can be a safety hazard as well.
  • Is the instructor trained in sexual assault crisis intervention? All self defense classes have survivors in them. If the instructor is unaware of the local sexual assault center, or has no relationship with it, question the instructor's motives in teaching women self defense.
  • Is the philosophy of the course to empower women and to teach techniques that can be used by any woman, regardless of physical ability? Is there a sense of fun in the class? There's no need for fancy or advanced martial arts techniques for self defense.
  • Is there talking time? Can students ask questions and discuss their concerns in a safe environment?

Local Rape Aggression Defense classes. Have a good time!