Spring Break
Self-defense class coming in fall to help prevent sexual assaults
Sarah Kloepping & Jerica Harvey
Issue date: 4/2/08 Section: News
In an effort to create awareness among women, the University Police department is planning to offer self-defense classes starting in the fall semester.
"We are looking at ways to give women who are interested some tools," University Police Chief Matt Kiederlen said. "Obviously there is no guarantee in any way, shape or form that it's going to work or that it's a solution, but we're trying to give them the tools so they have them if they need them."
The program will focus on teaching women how to utilize what objects they have near them to fend off a possible attacker.
"The idea is getting you to sit down and think about the possibilities," Kiederlen said. "Have you ever thought about what you could do with a pair of heels? You could literally drive that through someone's foot if you had to. This could open your mind up to some ideas you maybe haven't thought of before."
Kiederlen said the defense classes will be similar to Rape Aggression Defense Systems, a course teaching women awareness, prevention and hands-on defense training.
"The bottom line is we can't afford to use the RAD program," he said. "To set it up would cost about $8,000-9,000."
The University Police department is working with Defense and Arrest Tactics officers to develop a variation of the RAD program that can be utilized for students, Kiederlen said.
Another part of the program will include going through different scenarios with a police officer, such as being attacked from behind.
"Are you going to walk out of the class being a black belt karate expert? Absolutely not," Kiederlen said. "But it boils down to being confident."
For the program at Whitewater, Kiederlen said the department wants to purchase a self-defense suit, which would allow women to practice responding to situations at about 80 percent speed and strength.
"We don't know if students will utilize this program," he said. "It's our job to offer, but it's the student's job to accept."
The estimated cost for each suit is about $3,000.
"We are looking at ways to give women who are interested some tools," University Police Chief Matt Kiederlen said. "Obviously there is no guarantee in any way, shape or form that it's going to work or that it's a solution, but we're trying to give them the tools so they have them if they need them."
The program will focus on teaching women how to utilize what objects they have near them to fend off a possible attacker.
"The idea is getting you to sit down and think about the possibilities," Kiederlen said. "Have you ever thought about what you could do with a pair of heels? You could literally drive that through someone's foot if you had to. This could open your mind up to some ideas you maybe haven't thought of before."
Kiederlen said the defense classes will be similar to Rape Aggression Defense Systems, a course teaching women awareness, prevention and hands-on defense training.
"The bottom line is we can't afford to use the RAD program," he said. "To set it up would cost about $8,000-9,000."
The University Police department is working with Defense and Arrest Tactics officers to develop a variation of the RAD program that can be utilized for students, Kiederlen said.
Another part of the program will include going through different scenarios with a police officer, such as being attacked from behind.
"Are you going to walk out of the class being a black belt karate expert? Absolutely not," Kiederlen said. "But it boils down to being confident."
For the program at Whitewater, Kiederlen said the department wants to purchase a self-defense suit, which would allow women to practice responding to situations at about 80 percent speed and strength.
"We don't know if students will utilize this program," he said. "It's our job to offer, but it's the student's job to accept."
The estimated cost for each suit is about $3,000.
Viewing Comments 1 - 2 of 3
BonsaiSamurai
Chris Wunsch
posted 3/05/09 @ 4:08 PM CST
I'm not saying that this isn't a good idea (it is) but the university already offers a self defense class, multiple sessions each semester if memory serves. (Continued…)
Enrique Gonzalez
posted 3/08/09 @ 11:58 PM CST
What, another example of terrible journalism? From the RP? No way vato. I agree, the original class is el excellante! These 'reporters' need to be reassigned to janitorial detail. (Continued…)
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