Parking Officer Medina demonstrates defense mechanisms against pretend rape aggressors Corporal Holmes, Officer Draucker, and Officer Williams during the RAD workshop on Sunday, May 4.
By Hiba Ali
Staff Writer
The Rape Aggression Defense System is a nationwide self-defense program to teach women, children, men and seniors how to defend themselves from any physical violence. This program was offered at California State University, Bakersfield by the University Police Department; it was a three-day class from May 2 to 4. It is a four-hour of physical training and safety tips.
Two of the CSUB campus officers and CSUB instructor, Michelle Mills, trained a number of female students at the Student Recreation Center and taught them how to defend themselves from any kind of assault. The UPD has offered this class twice a year for the past 10 years.
“Because safety is a high priority to the University, the class is offered free of charge,” said Colleen Dillaway, Director of Public Affairs and Communications at CSUB.
Many female students were there to learn what to do if they were in danger, and they were actually having fun. Now they are equipped with the knowledge of how to handle themselves in a situation should they be attacked.
Officer Gonzalez demonstrates the proper way of getting back on her feet after a rape aggressor gets her on the floor during the RAD workshop on Saturday, May 3.
“I would take it again if they offered it again,” Anakaren Martinez said, a 20-year-old criminal justice student.
The class was free of charge, but a $20 deposit will be held until the last day of the class to hold a place for the students. CSUB would offer it for any females who had the ability. Men are also able to take the session, but the only male who signed up for the class did not attend. Students can bring their friends or family with them.
“We do if we have the ability, we do open it for any female, not only students, but we give the CSUB students priority,” said Mari Gonzalez, an officer of UPD and a trainer for RAD.
On the first day, there was no physical training. Instead, it was a lecture of some safety tips for the female students at home, walking to their cars and basic safety advice to prevent assault and be more aware with some self-defense techniques. The second day was a light physical training day with basic self-defense technique. The last day consisted of harder physical training, where they would actually have a male officer with a pattern suit as a fake assailant to allow female students to practice the techniques they learned.
The whole point of this program is to teach females how to protect themselves and to be aware of their surroundings.
“Upon completion of the class, students will have a heightened awareness of their surroundings and will — if need be — have the skills and confidence to defend themselves against aggressors,” said Dillaway.
