Discussion List for campus-based and allied personnel working to end gender-based violence on campus.

["Clara Porter" <>]

Yes. RAD as you likely know, is a program presented through police departments across the US.  The program uses a padded attacker method to allow participants to practice physical self defense under adrenalin.  While many women report having had a powerful experience in the course, my criticism has always been:

 

- the program focuses on attacks by strangers or near strangers (which as we all know, represent the minority of attacks on women.

 

- The program focuses almost exclusively on physical defense and "safety tips" thereby giving the impression that one can or should use physical self defense in all dangerous or threatening situations.  Given this training, I think victim/survivors would be ore likely to blame themselves for not "fighting back" during a sexual assault or in an abusive relationship.

 

The National Women's Martial Arts Federation had a great piece on what to look for in a holistic empowerment model of self defense as well as an extensive list of instructors across the country whom they have certified under this system.  Here is the link:  www.nwmaf.org

 

 

 

Clara Porter, Coordinator

Interpersonal Violence Prevention

University of Southern Maine

112 Upton Hall, Gorham

780-4218 office

232-0484 cell

>>> Dominic Alletto <> 10/30/2012 5:03 PM >>>

Does anyone have experience working with RAD self defense systems http://www.rad-systems.com/ ? I would appreciate your thoughts regarding the program.

Best

Dom

--

Dominic Alletto

Assistant Director of Intercultural Affairs
Intercultural Community Center

Center for Gender Equity-Project SAFE
Occidental College
P (323) 259 2525
F (323) 550 1961