Sponsored by the Giardini Endowment for the Empowerment of Women Students, the University Police is now offering a free self defense class for female Penn State students.

The four day Rape Aggression Defense Course (RAD) is designed for women only and focuses on awareness, risk reduction, avoidance options, and prevention. Each three hour session combines lecture and discussion as well as demonstration and practice of physical tactics and skills.

Taught by certified instructors trained in law enforcement, this course is endorsed by the International Association of Campus Law Enforcement Administrators, which focuses entirely on public safety for college communities. The twelve hour course ends with a realistic simulation, which will give students the unique opportunity to safely practice their newly learned self defense techniques. This will allow students the chance to put what they learned into practice, by assessing their options and physically defending themselves.

Without knowledge of better self defense tactics, young women may not be able to actually defend themselves in dangerous situations and this course aims to correct that. Once the course is completed, students are given free access to any other RAD courses taught at any time and on any other campus.

The course will take place on April 8, 10, 15 and 17 from 6 to 9 p.m. in room 112 of the Weston Community Center, which is located in the White Course Apartment complex. To register for the course, visit 204 Boucke between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. For all female students, remember that this course is entirely free and could prove to be particularly interesting and beneficial.