Bad things can happen to anyone, anywhere – even in Pike County.
With that thought in mind, the Troy Police Department is hosting a Rape Aggression Defense class for women that will be free to attend.
“It will, hopefully, give women safety awareness tips they can incorporate into their everyday lives,” said Det. Mike O’Hara, who is one of the certified RAD instructors.
The class will be 12-hours total, but broken up into four nights of workshops on Thursdays in February. Classes are from 6 to 9 p.m., each night.
“We will go over simple self-defense techniques women can use and suggest safe living habits,” O’Hara said.
Easy adjustments, such as looking people in the eye as you walk instead of looking at the ground and leaving a light on at home, could create less of a circumstance where a woman might become a victim of a crime.
The class was originally slated to hold 100 women, but there are less than 25 seats left. O’Hara said those interested won’t be turned away simply because of lack of room. The police department is prepared to offer more than one round of classes, if there is interest.
O’Hara said that those interested should fill out a form online at troypd.com, or call 670-3700 to register.
And, you don’t have to be young or in great shape to take the course. O’Hara said the classes are designed to be suitable for any woman 12 or older and those attending are encouraged to go at their own pace.
“We want to give people a chance to improve their safety,” O’Hara said. “We want to work with everyone.”
The classes are open to the public and will be held at Paterson Hall on the Troy University Campus.