One in six women will be sexually assaulted during their lifetime, and college-age women are four times more likely to be assaulted, according to the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN). Women at Guilford can learn to fight back. Rhonda Johnson, the public safety supervisor, is offering a female-only Rape Aggression Defense (RAD) class this semester. Its four meetings will run from 2:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m. at the Community Center on Feb. 15, Feb. 22, March 1, and March 8.

Johnson said the class not only teaches women defensive techniques, but it also boosts their self-esteem.

“It is important as it gives a woman options on what to do if attacked or harassed by men,” said Johnson. “Women learn self-esteem and they also learn that they are not helpless over men.”

Each session will last three hours, and there will be four sessions total with one each week. The final session is a simulation of a situation where students can put their training into use.

Johnson was certified to teach the class in December 2007 and has since taught the class three times: two were for the staff, and the third was for students.

“The ones who have taken it feel empowered and the (student) class said they would like to see it as part of FYE or CHAOS,” said Johnson.

Johnson would like to offer the classes at least once per semester, and is willing to hold more if there is enough interest.

First-year Meg Holden said she would be interested in taking the class.

“I think women should be able to defend themselves since rape is a lot more common than people think it is,” said Holden.

According to RAINN, there were 272,350 victims of sexual assault in 2006 and 64,080 of them were rape victims. About 80 percent of these victims were white.

First-year Monica Burgin has already taken a self-defense class and feels it’s important to practice.

“I took a self-defense class in high school, and while I’m kind of glad I took it, I feel like I’d be freaking out too much to remember it in an actual situation,” said Burgin. “If you remember it really well or practice enough that it becomes instinct, I think it can help a lot, though.”

If you are interested in taking the class or would like more information, please contact Public Safety at [email protected] or contact Rhonda Johnson directly at [email protected].