With student safety a top priority on campus, the Marshall Police Department partnered with the Rape Aggression Defense program, or R.A.D., to provide female students with a self-defense course. 

The class teaches females what self-defense is, including risk avoidance, risk reduction and awareness of surroundings. 

“You’re getting class credit, but you’re also getting a lot of information that could possibly save your life, and you want that confidence,” Scott Ballou, R.A.D instructor and MUPD officer, said. “You want to know what you would do in a situation. If you plan for attack rather than fear, you’re that much more ahead of the game.”

A second eight weeks course is available for students. The class starts Oct. 16 and is listed as PEL 120 under registration.

“It’s fun and games in here, but this is something that can happen in the real world,” R.A.D. student Megan Vance said. “Most of us girls think we’re invincible, and this isn’t something that’s going to happen to us. We need to be prepared…and this class is a great way to start.”

Kayla Simmons can be contacted at [email protected].