The R.A.D. (Rape Aggression Defense) system is a program of realistic self-defense tactics and techniques for women. It is a program developed for women and offered only to women. The program begins with lectures on awareness, prevention, risk reduction and risk avoidance, then progresses to the basics of hands on defense training.

R.A.D. is not a martial arts program and no prior training of knowledge is required to attended the class. Women of all ages and fitness levels can participate in the class. The classes offered by the Columbia Police Department will be offered as a community service/education program and will be open to all women free of charge.

R.A.D. is a 12hr course that is typically split in to three 4hr blocks. We are hoping to run a class every 3 months to begin with. We do not have set class times or a location at this time and class times will probably vary depending on demand. Class size is limited to about 20.

Also if a business, social group, school, and/or etc. would like to offer the class to their female members arrangements can be made to have a class for them at their location also free of charge and that can conform to their schedule if needed, however the course is always 12hrs total length and will not be shortened. For setting up a class or further information on R.A.D. please contact Officer Nicole Fall at either (931)840-5977 or

This is a comprehensive program designed to provide women with realistic defense options to make an educated decision about resistance. By providing effective options we're teaching women to take and active role in their own self-defense. Each student will receive a R.A.D. student manual. The manual outlines the entire program for reference and continuous personal growth.
R.A.D. is the only program that offers a free lifetime return and practice policy for R.A.D. graduates. The student manual allows you to return and practice at any program given by our department, or any other R.A.D. class any where in the U.S. or Canada FREE OF CHARGE.
The program was developed in 1989 and is taught in hundreds colleges and university, as well as in Canada and many nations over seas. Providing this program to women is an important part of our commitment to educate the community, considering the statics on rape.

• Every minute in America, there are 1.3 forcible rapes of adult women, 78 each hour 1,871 each day, 56,916 each month 683,000 every year.
• 13% of adult American women have survived at least one forcible rape in their lifetime. 1 out of every 8 adult women have been a victim of forcible rape.
• 1 out of 4 college women reported being sexually assaulted sometime during their four years.
• Only 10-16% of rapes are reported
• Of 123,850 women reporting rape or attempted rape, 41.3% occurred in the daytime, 58.7% occurred at night.
• Between 1973 and 1987, over 2.3 million women reported sexual assaults, 71% avoided being raped by taking some type of self-protective measures.
• Women who are forceful about resisting a would-be rapist are less likely to be raped and no more likely to be injured than those who resist weakly or not at all.
• In a study of 60 women who were assaulted, women who made absolutely no attempt to resist were all raped. It is only by resisting that women have a chance to avoid being raped.