Women in Blount County seeking to empower themselves through self-defense have a new opportunity to do so. The Blount County Sheriff's Office has opened registration for a Rape Aggression Defense (R.A.D.) class. Sheriff James Lee Berrong announced that interested participants can sign up for the three-day class, taking place February 25 – 27, 2026, "from 5:00 pm to 8:30 pm at Mary Blount Elementary School, located at 131 S. Old Glory Road in Maryville," as reported in a social media post from the Blount County Sheriff's Office.
Eligibility for the courses is set at the age of 13 and above, with the stipulation that minors must have an adult accompany them. Importantly, organizers note that there's no cost associated with the training, making it more accessible to a broader range of women. Certified instructors from the Blount County Sheriff’s Office will provide guidance on "options of resistance through the R.A.D. program," according to a statement on the Sheriff's Office Facebook page. The class promises to share basic self-defense techniques to participants in an enjoyable and practical format.
For additional information or to reserve a spot in the upcoming class, the Blount County Sheriff's Office instructs interested parties to contact Deputy Magahn Mattocks. One can reach out to Deputy Mattocks by phone at (865)223-4301 or via email at [email protected], for all queries and enrollment details. As spaces are limited, early registration could be crucial for those looking to empower themselves with these critical self-defense skills.
