Belmont Police Department

460 Concord Avenue

Belmont, MA 02478

617-993-2501

Richard J. McLaughlin, Chief of Police

 

 

NEWS RELEASE

 

Date: January 17, 2008                                                                     Contact: Lt. Santangelo

For Publication & Immediate Release                                                         617-993-2552

 

 

 

Police Offer Self Defense Course for Women

Basic Defense Course Fills Up Quickly

 

(Belmont, MA) -- Women interested in developing information and skills that will give them options if they are attacked are invited to sign up for a  RAD training course the Belmont Police will provide in February.  There is no charge to attend this class.

            RAD (Rape Aggression Defense) training teaches women how to avoid, resist, and survive physical attacks. The RAD course is taught by a team of female and male Belmont Police officers. The course consists of four classes and is next scheduled for February 26, 28, March 4 and 5, from 6:30 to 9:30 PM. The classes are usually held in the Belmont Middle School gym.

“RAD empowers women by giving them options they may not have possessed before the class,” RAD instructor Lt. Brendan O’Leary said. According to O’Leary, many women lack the option of physical resistance to an attack because they have never learned how to resist. RAD provides practical training in self-defense as well as instruction on how to avoid an assault entirely.

The instructors are trained and maintain a relaxed atmosphere for learning during class. All parts of the class are voluntary, including a simulated assault in which a student may practice the skills she has learned.

All women are welcome, whether they live or work in Belmont or the surrounding communities. “Sign up with your daughter or a friend,” O’Leary suggested.

The classes fill fast, O’Leary said, so anyone interested should sign up soon. When the February class is full, names will be placed on a stand-by list and women will be notified of the next class dates. Classes will be held approximately four times a year.

Women may sign up for the class by sending an E-mail to rad@belmontpd.org or calling the RAD Hotline at 617-993-2497.  If there are any questions please leave a message and your call will be returned.