University of North Georgia’s Rape Aggression Defense program, better known as the R.A.D. program, allows students to build confidence and equip them with both knowledge and skills to seek an active role in their own protection. The program is a nationally recognized self-defense program originating from a system that has trained more than 900,000 women since the program began in 1989.
R.A.D. is designed to help women of all ages and fitness levels avoid and escape harmful situations. The program teaches participants a variety of skills, including awareness techniques, legal education, risk reduction and the basics of hands-on defense tactics designed to empower and prepare them for potentially dangerous situations.
Campus Victim Advocate Courtney House, who helps coordinate the program, says a team of certified instructors teaches the course, and it is offered once per semester. The event’s UNG Connect page shows that each course includes four 3-hour course sessions can accommodate up to 12 participants, though recent attendance has ranged from two to four students per class. The fourth class is a simulation that is not mandatory but requires students to attend the first three classes.
This semester’s dates and times on the Dahlonega Campus (the specific location will be sent to participants closer to the date):
Monday Oct. 13: 4 p.m. – 7 p.m.
Wednesday Oct. 15: 4 p.m. – 7 p.m.
Monday Oct. 20: 4 p.m. – 7 p.m.
Wednesday Oct. 22: 4 p.m. – 7 p.m.
House says, “Students are strongly encouraged to attend all sessions, as each class builds upon techniques introduced in the previous one, ensuring a progressive and cohesive learning experience.”
At this time, R.A.D. courses at UNG are designed specifically for women; however, the R.A.D. Systems organization also has courses for men, children and older adults. House says, UNG’s Public Safety department has a long-term goal to expand the program to include additional course types, such as courses for men, and offer more sessions per semester, but doing so will require increasing the number of certified instructors.
Students interested in taking the course can register through the R.A.D. event page on UNG Connect. The course is also promoted through the university’s public events calendar. If you can’t attend on-campus courses, the national R.A.D. Systems website offers additional classes in the area.
House graduated from UNG in 2022 with a degree in criminal justice. Her experience as a former student inspired her to get involved in the R.A.D. program. “There has been an increased interest in a self-defense class for women,” House said. “We understand that this topic is important to a lot of our students, and we wanted to provide that to our community.”