Police Offer Rape Aggression Defense Course for High School Students

For many local students, college is on the horizon. Members of the Tewksbury Police Department want to make sure that when the town's teenagers pack up and head to college, they bring with them the ability to defend themselves in a dangerous situation if needed.

Tewksbury Police are offering a free women's self defense class this spring, providing realistic self-defense skills to participants. No background in martial arts is required - students of all levels of ability will be taught relevant techniques and information, according to police.

The self-defense course is called Rape Aggression Defense, and it is taught by nationally certified R.A.D. instructors and police officers, who teach information about ways women can protect themselves in physical and non-physical ways.

"Resisting aggression with defense is designed to empower women to make different decisions when confronted with aggressive behavior," police said. "This is the first step towards reducing aggression and violence for ourselves and the one's we love."

The course is scheduled for May 8 from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Tewksbury Memorial High School. The R.A.D. class is limited to 25 students, and preference is given to high school seniors.

For questions or to register, contact Officer Jennie Welch by telephone at (978) 851-7373, Ext. 230 or by email at jwelch@tewksbury-ma.gov. Detective Andre Gonzalez can be reached at (978) 851-7373, Ext. 219 or agonzalez@tewksbury-ma.gov.