Think about how many women you know. Now, take that number and divide it by four. Statistically speaking, this is the number of females you know who will be raped in their lifetimes.

When one considers that 25 percent of all women will be raped, it becomes clear that rape is not just a woman’s issue. It affects everybody.

The good news is that increased awareness is making these statistics go down. One way that DU is helping is by offering classes in RAD, or Rape Aggression Defense, training on campus.

RAD is a women’s only self-defense class that is offered throughout the United States and Canada, primarily on college campuses. It is the only program that is recommended by the International Campus Law Enforcement Administrators.

Larry Nadeau started RAD in 1989. The motto for the program is: “To develop and enhance the options of self defense so they may become viable considerations to the woman who is attacked.”

RAD focuses on providing women with options. It is stressed that although nothing is guaranteed or foolproof, women are better prepared to make smart decisions if they are attacked when they are aware of their options.

RAD teaches that one of the best ways to be prepared is through practice. For this reason, participants have free lifetime return privileges to any RAD course in the U.S. or Canada.

This policy exists to eliminate the barriers so that participants have unlimited opportunities to practice in order to become as proficient as possible.

Campus Safety officer Ray Juan is the main instructor for the RAD courses at DU, and has been teaching them for three years.

Officer Jason McKelvy and administrative associate Kelly Raeburn were recently certified as instructors, and assisted Juan in the class that took place this past weekend.The class requires a commitment of 12 hours over a three-day period.

There were nine participants in this weekend’s class, which included seven undergraduate students, one graduate student, and one past participant who came back for a refresher.

On Friday night, the first class began with an information session where participants learned pertinent information about victimization and tactics for avoidance and escape. Each participant received a binder full of valuable resources about sexual assaults and RAD techniques for future reference.

On Saturday evening, the class was more hands-on. Participants formed a circle while Raeburn and McKelvy taught defensive tactics, such as stances, kicks, punches, blocks and other methods of using one’s personal weapons against an attacker’s vulnerable targets. The instructors held up pads and gave everyone a sufficient opportunity to practice these moves throughout the evening.

Sunday morning, the final day of the course, was devoted to simulation. Campus Safety officers Doug Hasty and Jason McKelvy put on extensive padding and took on the role of attackers.

One by one, each participant put on pads and got the chance to put to use the tactics she had learned by defending herself from the officers during a simulated attack.

Each simulation was videotaped, and at the end of the class, everyone was able to see what they had accomplished.

All of the participants were surprised at what they were capable of doing.

A consistent comment among participants was that it was empowering to know that they had the capability to defend themselves, even if they weren’t very strong.

Former participant Susie Geiger, who came back this weekend to refresh her skills, was walking home from a concert one night when a man grabbed her arm. She was able to break free from his grip by using one of the techniques she learned in RAD.

“This stuff sticks with you. It works. That’s why I came back,” she said.

RAD consists of simple training, and is designed so that any female can do it, regardless of her age or physical condition.

While physical defense techniques are taught, the program mainly stresses commonsense tactics that should be used to reduce threats to one’s personal safety. According to RAD, “Risk awareness, reduction, recognition, and avoidance are 90 percent of self-defense.”

The ultimate goal is to survive. This class teaches participants the importance of living their lives in a state of consciousness.

Most attackers are not looking for a fight. If a woman is able to portray herself as confident and aware of her surroundings, she will be far less likely to be attacked. If she is attacked, RAD teaches that the goal is simply to escape and survive, nothing more. Having a practiced plan of action is the best way to ensure survival.

According to RAD, humans are the only species that will disregard instincts and messages. Often we are too concerned with being polite to pay attention to our fear and listen to that inner voice that tells us something isn’t right.

RAD teaches that fear is a survival tactic, and it must be followed. Nobody has the right to hurt you, and it’s okay to be rude to escape from an uncomfortable situation.

Unfortunately, most women cannot get through life without having their boundaries pushed by men. This class is about acknowledging that women are in charge of their boundaries, and need to control them.

RAD gives women the power to defend themselves against strangers, but more importantly, against people they know.

A full 80 percent of rapes are perpetrated by an acquaintance, somebody who is close to the victim.

It can be difficult to stand up to somebody one trusts, but it must be done. By being consciously aware of their surroundings and the actions of the people around them, and by having a practiced plan of attack, women can escape and avoid becoming victims of this horrendous crime.

According to Hasty, “Nobody should not have the knowledge and training if it’s available. ‘I didn’t know what else to do’ is a common comment following an attack. If you don’t practice these techniques, you might not use them. It’s important to come back and practice.”

The cost of the RAD program is $35 and includes a reference book and free lifetime refresher courses. While students have the first priority, RAD is also open to faculty, staff and family members.

At the current time, Campus Safety is offering RAD courses once a quarter. If there is an increase in interest, they are willing to provide classes more frequently, based on the demand.

It is also possible to coordinate a RAD training for a specific campus department or organization. For more information or to sign up for the program, please contact Ray Juan at rjuan@du.edu.