The TCU Police Department held its first Rape Aggression Defense (RAD) class of the semester Sept. 10 and 11 in order to teach female  students how to protect themselves in the unfortunate event of an assault. The class was spread out over two days during which the women were first informed of all that the curriculum included, as well as shown various techniques that they would later use for the last part of their training. The final, three hands-on hours gave the women the opportunity to practice the newly taught techniques on male officers who were dressed in padded suits.

The class could not have come at a more appropriate time, seeing as there have been accounts of three sexual assaults on  campus this semester alone. Even more shocking than the news that these events have taken place is the number of participants in the RAD program: Only seven female students chose to take part in the class. 

Taking a class that requires 12 hours of students’ weekends may seem inconvenient to some, but the beneficial and possibly life-saving knowledge gained from such a course is worth sacrificing a portion of one single weekend.

Women on campus need to be more proactive about protecting themselves. The assaults that have taken place on the TCU campus and on campuses all over the country are real and could happen to anyone. All of the recent attacks on campus were reported to have been committed by someone that the victims knew personally. Sexual assault is no minor issue, nor is it one that should be ignored or swept under the rug.

The TCU Police Department will be holding RAD classes throughout the semester, and all female students are welcome. The next class is scheduled for Oct. 8 and Oct. 15.

For more information about the RAD program, contact Officer Pam Christian at 817-257-7276.