In a proactive move to empower women with the means to fend off attackers, the Plano Police Department has opened registration for a self-defense program slated to run in January. The class, exclusively for women, stresses the imperative of self-reliance amid the troubling escalation of aggressive acts against them.
The police-sponsored initiative is the Rape Aggression Defense (R.A.D.) class, a system of defense tactics and techniques that has garnered national recognition for its efficacy. The course will take place over four days, starting January 22, 2024, at the Chase Oaks Church-Legacy Campus, nestled at 281 Legacy Drive. Participants must dedicate themselves to all four sessions, starting at 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., to complete the required 12 hours of training. Oddly, the organizers insist on committing to each of the sessions, with no exception afforded for conflicting schedules or unforeseen events, according to the Plano Texas Police Department.
R.A.D. training is not exclusive to residents of Plano but also to those who are employed within the city limits, offering a chance to learn a spectrum of self-defense strategies, including awareness, risk reduction, and the fundamentals of evasion. Designed for women and girls aged 15 and up, there's a clear understanding that the seeds of self-protection must be sown early, in the fertile minds of the young who navigate an increasingly complex world.
This community service is offered free of charge, undoubtedly, to ensure no barrier to entry for those seeking empowerment. For those interested in enrolling, there is a dedicated registration link available, and any additional inquiries can be directed to Officer Hayley Dick via email. The program reflects a fundamental urgency in the Plano community's direct response to the perils that loom, particularly over women, in the quiet lurking of all hours.
