The University of Tennessee Police Department is working to help and protect women from being the victims of rape and aggression by offering Rape Aggression Defense classes.

These classes have been occurring throughout the semester. The next basic training classes will take place Nov. 26, 28 and 30 from 5 to 9 p.m. at the UTPD located on Cumberland Avenue. To register for these classes go to the UTPD Web site. The next aerosol classes will be Nov. 18 from 5 to 9 p.m.

"One in every six American women are victims of sexual assault," said the Rape Abuse & Incest National Network. It further said that, "every two and a half minutes, somewhere in America, someone is sexually assaulted."

The UTPD hopes that their classes will lead to lowering some of these statistics.

"It not only teaches the women how to defend themselves. It empowers them and educates them in preventative measures," Officer Nicole Collins said. Collins taught the Oct. 31, Nov. 1 and 2 class.

"The number one thing it teaches women is the confidence and empowerment," Collins said. She explained further that if they don't have the confidence, they won't be able to defend themselves no matter how much they have trained.

The women who took the Oct. 31, Nov. 1 and 2 class thought it was very beneficial.

UT employee, Melissa Crisp said that it makes you more aware of your surroundings.

Keri Mohrbach, RAD student, said that the most important thing she learned was "awareness skills."

The next RAD classes will take place at UTPD headquarters on Cumberland Avenue on Nov. 26, 28, and 30 from 5 to 9 p.m. Everyone is invited to participate.