Women on and around the MTSU campus can help make their spring a safer one by joining the MTSU University Police Department’s new five-week session of free Rape Aggression Defense classes.

A Rape Aggression Defense Systems instructor, wearing the red protective gear, tangles with a student during a RAD course after she knocks another instructor to the ground. The MTSU University Police Department has set a new five-week RAD course beginning Monday, Feb. 1. (Photo courtesy of R.A.D. Systems)

This new spring 2015 course is set each Monday from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. beginning Feb. 1 and is open to all female MTSU students, faculty and staff, along with the general public.

The course concludes Feb. 29. Organizers say that participants must attend all five sessions to ensure that they receive proper training.

Class size is limited for this semester’s safety course, so the University Police Department is encouraging interested parties to enroll as soon as possible.

The Rape Aggression Defense System is a comprehensive program of realistic defense tactics and techniques for women that emphasizes awareness, prevention, risk reduction and avoidance and progresses to the basics of hands-on defense training.

Nationally certified RAD instructors teach MTSU’s free course.

The program is designed for females age 13 and older with no previous experience or background in physical skills training. Instructors will work to accommodate any physical impairment a participant may have.

Participants should email their names and contact information to rad@mtsu.edu. Instructors will call or email participants with more details about enrollment and the class location.

For more information about MTSU’s RAD classes, send an email to rad@mtsu.edu.

— Gina E. Fann (gina.fann@mtsu.edu)