Rape Aggression Defense

The week before I got on the plane to leave for my first semester at college my father approached me. Now my father, especially growing up, was generally a man of few words. And so, when he spoke, you listened. He told me that he felt prompted to tell me that he was concerned I would be attacked while I was at college and that I needed to learn to defend myself. Yeah, that caught me a little off guard, and it gave me a little anxiety. 

So I started perusing the school’s website and found there was an extracurricular activity called R.A.D. (Rape Aggression Defense). I assured my father I could take the course, and everyone felt better, I guess. I took the class my first semester. It was inexpensive and lasted something like 6 weeks? I don’t remember exactly. But I absolutely loved the class and I absolutely loved the teachers. 

One of the teachers was a male police officer, and one of them was a woman. And at the end of the course we were given a signed booklet that allowed us to retake the course as many times as we want, anywhere in the country where there was a certified R.A.D. course…for free, no matter the cost!

I think I retook the course about 10 times while I was at college. And eventually I took another course they offered that taught some different skills. 

I was never attacked while I was at college, but I still appreciate those words my father said to me. Because otherwise I wouldn’t have sought the class. And that class made me feel alive in a lot of ways. I felt prepared, and invigorated. And I met so many great girls, and I absolutely loved being able to watch the faces of other girls go from meek and timid, to being able to confidently kick and hit that male police officer (while he was in padded gear) at the end of the class. And I was able to encourage more than one friend to take the class.

There was a time when I was pretty certain that one day I would like to become trained to be a certified R.A.D. Instructor. And who knows, maybe one day that can still happen. But that class is also what eventually led me to the decision to major in Social Work too. 

There’s still a part of me that wonders if there is still a future threat waiting out there, that would make me need to use those skills. And that makes me wary of dark streets and parking lots and being home alone sometimes. But that just means that I remain vigilant, always aware of my surroundings, and alert. And that’s a good life practice anyway these days. 

I don’t know exactly why I’m sharing this tonight, except just to say… sometimes promptings take us to places we didn’t expect. And sometimes the timing isn’t what we expect. And sometimes the results aren’t what we expect. And that’s okay.

And, if you feel so inclined, here’s your Emily endorsed invitation to “find a class near you!” 😉

http://www.rad-systems.com/program_locator_student.html