Women can gain a physical education credit and knowledge in self-defense by taking classes offered by UTPD.

The Rape Aggression Defense System began about 10 years ago when UTPD Captain Keith Lambert saw a need for better defense courses. 

“He (Lambert) saw the need for a better defense course instead of others going out and teaching it and not being very effective,” Nicole Collins, RAD coordinator and officer said.  “It’s a good program for women to be able to defend themselves like a normal person would do, rather than how a police officer would."

RAD covers topics like physical defense and how to use aerosol properly.  Advanced classes are also offered.  Twelve-hour and condensed courses are available so students will be able to participate in the program. 

“We try to accommodate it to them to fit their (students) schedules so they’ll be able to take it (the class),” Collins said.  Twelve hours isn’t a lot of time when you are learning to save your life… it’s pretty much your own responsibility to defend yourself.   Nicole Collins, RAD coordinator“All of it’s good and 12 hours isn’t a lot of time when you are learning to save your life. It’s pretty much your own responsibility to defend yourself.”

Classes for using aerosol weapons educate students on how to correctly use items such as pepper spray to defend against potential offenders. 

“I know a lot of students have pepper spray, but they don’t know how to use it to defend themselves,” Collins said.

The advanced courses educate students on how to handle situations where the attacker may have a gun, knife or a situation with more than one attacker.

Students learn how to defend themselves from predators through different scenarios given in the course. Most importantly, students are taught to be aware of their surroundings. Becoming aware of the surroundings helps students to avoid dangerous situations, Collins said.

In spring of 2008, the RAD lab course will be offered for the first time to students as a physical education credit.  The lab will train students in basic and aerosol self-defense according to Collins.
To sign-up for RAD, visit http://web.utk.edu/~utpolice/RADform.html or for more information visit http://web.utk.edu/~utpolice/RAD.html.