Rape Aggression Defense (R.A.D.)
Overview
The Santa Fe College Police Department and Alachua County Sheriff's Office proudly
present the Rape Aggression Defense Program, known as R.A.D., and the Self-defense
Awareness and Familiarization Exchange Program, known as S.A.F.E. These programs are
self-defense courses specifically and only for women. The R.A.D. program was founded
by a former campus police officer. Today the course is taught at many colleges and
universities. The program's instructional objective is "to develop and enhance the
options of self-defense, so they become viable considerations to the woman who is
attacked." The wide spread acceptance of this system is primarily due to the ease,
simplicity and effectiveness of our tactics, solid research, legal defensibility and
unique teaching methodology.
How Does R.A.D. Work?
This system of realistic defense will provide women with the knowledge to make an
educated decision about resistance. We operate on the premise that a spontaneous violent
attack will stimulate a natural desire to resist, on the part of the victim (supported
by research). We educate women about the "Fight or Flight Syndrome," while showing
them that enhancing their option of physical defense is not only prudent, but a necessity
if natural resistance is to be effective.
The course differs from other self-defense programs in that it provides a foundation of risk reduction through avoidance strategies in addition to active defensive tactics. The R.A.D. System is a comprehensive course for women that begins with awareness, prevention, risk reduction and avoidance while progressing to the basics of hands-on self defense training. R.A.D. is not a Martial Arts program. Because the class emphasizes awareness as well as self-defense, it addresses the threat from both a stranger and an acquaintance perspective.
The course is taught in three sections by law enforcement officers certified to provide R.A.D. training. At the beginning of each class, instructors will provide you with a workbook/reference manual that you will use throughout the course. This manual outlines the entire Physical Defense Program for reference and provides outlines for each of the three sections taught. The first section is classroom discussion with a lecture component.
The second section discusses confrontation, options in various types of situations, and how and why to make a decision to resist or not. The third section continues with confrontational dynamics, and principles of self-defense. Students will systematically learn stances, yelling, movement, blocking, and escape methods along with many other defense techniques.
The class is free, but enrollment is limited to ensure the highest level of quality instruction.
How Do I Register for R.A.D. or SAFE?
For R.A.D. classes, you can register by contacting the Santa Fe College Police Department Officer Sarah Howard at 352-395-5519 or rad@sfcollege.edu Please provide your name, email address, phone number and which class dates you would like to attend. SAFE classes are introductory two (2) hour classes and can be scheduled directly with Santa Fe College Police Department Lieutenant Mark Barley by calling 352-395-5519.
Upcoming R.A.D. Classes
Each series of classes are taken together. You must attend all classes for the session you wish to attend.
In order to ensure quality instruction and the safety of all class participants, there is a capacity limit on all class sessions. Once a session has reached capacity, we will offer wait list options. Please continue to check back for new class dates each semester.