R.A.D courses educate women in defense and how to combat an attack I
By Amelia Lewin
Note: Before reading, know that this article contains mentions of rape and sexual assault. As such, it will focus on man-on-woman attacks, as that is the primary focus of R.A.D. Names of students in the article have been changed.
In the Fall 2024 semester, KU held a Rape Aggression Defense (R.A.D) course educating students on safety.
The course was split into three days which focused on theoretical and practical defensive measures.
The first day was a classroom setting, where participants met with Corporal Howe and Detective Corporal George of the KU Public Safety and Police Services. Participants were joined as well by Maddison Magala, the KU advocate for Safe Berks, a service that provides free and confidential support to survivors of domestic abuse and sexual assault, as well as educating the public on these matters.
The lesson was a chance for the participants, which comprised over 20 students, to familiarize themselves with the material and with each other. Two students who attended offered input regarding their experience with the course.
One student, who shall be referred to as Kiara, said that she took R.A.D. because “When I was 17, I was sexually abused by someone who I thought loved me, and fighting off an attack is so different when it is someone you have close ties to. It makes it so much more difficult. I think that the psychosomatic trauma is still similar because I thought if I could fight them off then I’d be less vulnerable.”
The second day the students began to practice physical defensive moves. Corporal Howe and Detective Corporal George were also joined by Sergeant Althouse, who together instructed and practiced with participants on physical measures.
Another student, Jane, stated that she enjoyed this part of the course and would be interested in taking a future course.
“I would, especially if they were relatively cheap or free because I like how this one was accessible, and you could just go and do it,” Jane said.
The third and final day was a culmination of all the lessons taught, with combinations being tested on students, while emphasizing the control the students had the entire time.
Because of their past experiences, Jane and Kiara had different viewpoints by the end of the course but agreed on its value.
Jane noted that she gained a lot of experience from this and will be better prepared in the future if anything should occur.
Kiara expressed displeasure regarding the course as it was “difficult” and “triggering” but was ultimately proud of herself in the end for going through with it.
The need for courses like R.A.D. becomes clear more every day as women are the subject of attacks.
In a 2015 report, one in five women were raped and a 2020 report stated, “Almost one in four undergraduate women experienced sexual assault or misconduct at 33 of the nation’s major universities.”
These reports and many more do not account for those not reported, for many women fear that they will be called liars, be belittled, or have a drawn-out court process that will most likely not lead to punishment.
If students wish to take a R.A.D. course, the next classes will be advertised around campus in the beginning of the Spring semester.
If you or someone you know is subjected to an attack, contact Maddison Magala at 484-651-9377 or MadisonM@SafeBerks.org for support or the Safe Berks 24/7 hotline at 844-789-7233 for call or text SAFE BERKS to 20121.