Sevierville Police Department Offering Rape Aggression Defense Class

MARCH 3, 2015 UPDATE: The Sevierville Police Department Rape Aggression Defense (R.A.D.) class schedule has been revised. The February 24 class was cancelled due to weather. Classes will now take place on March 3, 10 and 17, from 6 p.m. – 9 p.m. each night.

Women and girls can learn self-defense techniques at a free Rape Aggression Defense class offered by the Sevierville Police Department.

The Sevierville Police Department will soon hold a 9-hour Rape Aggression Defense (R.A.D.) course for women. The program is split into three unique evening classes from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. on March 3, 10 and 17, 2015 at the Sevierville Civic Center. This R.A.D. course is FREE and open to women of all ages and physical ability levels. The course is also open to girls, however the department recommends they be at least 11 years old. No advance registration is required.

According to the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network, one in six American women will become a victim of sexual assault.

R.A.D. is a program of realistic self-defense tactics and techniques for women. It is a comprehensive, women-only course that begins with awareness, prevention, risk reduction and risk avoidance, while progressing on to the basics of hands-on defense training. The R.A.D. course will teach women how to fight smarter, not harder. Participants will learn how to get out of bear hugs, choke holds and arm grabs, as well as how to get an attacker off you, and how to punch and kick effectively. This is not a martial arts program.

Sevierville Police Department Officer Rebecca Cowan and Lt. David Finchum, both nationally certified R.A.D. instructors, will teach the program.

Each participant will receive a workbook/reference manual, which outlines the entire program for future reference and continuous personal growth. During the class, instructors will demonstrate self-defense techniques. Participants will be divided into small groups of two or three people to practice. The department also encourages participants to bring friends or family to practice the techniques. For the last class, an instructor will wear a protective suit for interaction with anyone who wishes to practice those techniques at a more intense level.

The Sevierville Civic Center is located at 200 Gary Wade Blvd. in Sevierville, TN.

For additional information, please call 865-868-1834 or email rcowan@seviervilletn.org or dfinchum@seviervilletn.org.