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R.A.D. self defense empowers women

R.A.D. self defense empowers women

It is estimated that 28 women every hour survive a rape or sexual assault. One out of three women will likely be sexually assaulted in their lifetime, according to statistics issued by Self Defense for Life. According to oneinfourusa.org, 99 percent of people who rape are men and 60 percent of the perpetrators are Caucasian. One in four college women report surviving rape or attempted rape.
Self Defense for Life also reports a woman is physically abuse by a male who is either a spouse or boyfriend every nine seconds in this country.
Across the nation, more than 7,000 people have become certified to offer a session geared to empower women. That session provides its students with unique tools giving them a secret weapon if they were ever the target of assault.
In Weakley County, R.A.D. Instructor Terry Guthrie has been volunteering his time to empower women.
Guthrie was a Martin police officer for 15 years. He is now a UT Martin Safety and Security officer and shares his R.A.D. knowledge with local law enforcement agencies as well as offers a course several times a year for women interested in taking a self-defense class.
The mission of R.A.D. (Rape Aggression Defense) is “to develop and enhance the option of self defense so that it may be a viable option to the woman who is attacked.”
“A lot of people have never kicked someone or hit another person.
“Through this course, it validates to the student that she is a force to be reckoned with. You really have a sense that you can protect yourself when the class is over,” Brenda Guthrie explained.
Ms. Guthrie has not only taken the course taught by her husband, she also acts a control monitor in the room for the student as well as her husband.
“As a woman you might be put in a situation that you would have to defend yourself. It is important to know how to defend yourself. It is also important to be aware of your surroundings,” Ms. Guthrie noted. She said the R.A.D. course is designed to teach women what they need to know to prevent an attack or escape an attack.
“These tools are simple and easy to remember.”
Knowledge is a part of the R.A.D. equation and the two-day class offered by Guthrie on the campus of the University of Tennessee at Martin provides up-to-date information about certain date-rape drugs and their effects as well as situational awareness.
Guthrie attempts to tailor the course to a student’s strength and weaknesses on an individual level.
The class is not designed to teach self-defense to only those who think they are strong or in good shape. The class was recently taught to senior citizens. Age, size and height are not factors.
The benefits of R.A.D. Self Defense certification allows a student to visit a class at any time after they complete the training to refresh if they need to or visit a class at any location across the country.
While the price tag for empowerment has unlimited value, the price for the local class being offered by Guthrie bears no tag.
The two-day course is free.
The class is planned for March 19-20 from 4-10 p.m. both days in the University Center on the campus of the University of Tennessee at Martin.
The class will hold approximately 20 students. To reserve a slot, contact Debbie Mount at 881-7104.
For general information about R.A.D., visit www.rad-systems.com.

WCP 3.08.12