Claremore Police teaching Rape Aggression Defense classes

Claremore's Police Department teaches an innovative class called Rape Aggression Defense. <br><br>And as News on Six reporter Lori Fullbright explains, it teaches women of all ages, sizes and fitness

Tuesday, June 25th 2002, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

Claremore's Police Department teaches an innovative class called Rape Aggression Defense.

And as News on Six reporter Lori Fullbright explains, it teaches women of all ages, sizes and fitness levels the basic moves to fight back and escape.

The training sessions of class instructors shows how RAD works, not only does it teach women how to be aware of risks, identify them and avoid them, it also shows them how to fight back enough to get away.

George Valliere, Claremore Police: "These are generic moves, strikes, kicks, stances that can be adapted to any scenario." Officers say the class is no guarantee a woman won't be assaulted, but it does give her a head start since most attackers don't expect them to fight back.

Getting women to change their mindset is often the first barrier the class must break. "We've had em come in and say, I could never do that, head butt someone, then, they can't believe at the end of the class they've head butted someone five times to get away.â€

The RAD program was even featured on the Sally Jesse show. Police say the class is not about beating up an aggressor and doesn't take the time and skill required for marital arts, this is for the everyday woman who wants to take more responsibility for her own safety and protection. "Older women, mothers who are by themselves with the kids, taking them to Wal-Mart or the mall, this is designed for those people."

Police say women who take this class leave with a new sense of confidence, a new sense that they do have power when it comes to fighting off an attacker, no matter what the circumstance.

Claremore Police has two RAD classes scheduled, the last two weeks of July and the last two weeks of August. The 12-hour class costs $10 and is for women only.

If you're interested, you can call the Claremore Police Department at 341-1212.