Students learn self-defense in Rape Aggression Defense class

Gaining the skills and knowledge they need to defend themselves, seven participants recently successfully completed the Rape Aggression Defense (RAD) course at Alfred State College (ASC).

The class was composed of both ASC students and staff members. Participants completed 12 hours of training over the course of three sessions, culminating with hands-on defensive training.

Teaching the class were certified RAD instructors and University Police’s own Officer Corwin Mackney and Communications Specialist Jennifer Chiaino.

At the conclusion of the program, Mackney said, “I am very proud of all of these women for completing RAD. As an instructor, it gives me great pride to see each student learn and grow through the program, and at the same time enjoy the experience.”

The purpose of the RAD class is to develop and enhance the options of self-defense, so they may become viable considerations to the person who is attacked.

Ariel Bailey, a programmer-analyst at Alfred State, said that she initially took this class “to be given strength and confidence, but RAD helped me to hone the strength and confidence I already had (but neglected) in myself.”

RAD is a program of realistic self-defense tactics and techniques. It is a comprehensive self-defense course for women that begins with awareness, prevention, risk reduction and avoidance, while progressing on to the basics of hands-on training. It is the only self-defense program ever to be endorsed by the International Association of Campus Law Enforcement Administrators (IACLEA).

RAD operates on the premise that a spontaneous violent attack will stimulate a natural desire to resist on the part of the victim. The class is designed to educate women by enhancing their options of physical defense as being not only prudent, but also a necessity if a natural resistance is to be effective. The Rape Aggression Defense System empowers women to make their own decisions regarding self-preservation and self-defense options.

Overall, participants felt the class was a very positive experience.

Alfred State student Alison Norton, an interdisciplinary studies major from Greene, said, “The teachers work really hard at making it a comfortable and safe environment. It’s an empowering and free experience that women should take advantage of. I would do it again in a heartbeat and I would highly recommend taking this class.”

Jo Ellen York, an instructional support assistant in the Health and Wellness Services Department, said, “This program was amazing, it was empowering, and I would highly recommend any female to participate in one. Thank you for offering this to students, faculty, and staff.”

Matthew Heller, the chief of Police at the University Police Department, said, “Officer Mackney and Dispatcher Chiaino have done a great job in bringing this training opportunity to female members of our campus. They both have a passion for this program and it comes through in the way that is delivered to the participants. It would be great to see a group of women in our Greek community or athletic teams get together and take advantage of this training in the future.”

If you are interested in attending this free training in the future, contact Mackney at the University Police Department by calling 607-587-3999.