Superwomen in the Making
The Bridge Jr. Reporters
Anna Esteves and Khloe Torres
Coming soon to Texas A&M International University (TAMIU) is an empowering program for women known as the Rape. Aggression. Defense. system (R.A.D.) . R.A.D. is a national self-defense program designed to teach women real tactics and techniques to be able to ward off dangers. It promotes awareness, prevention, risk reduction and risk avoidance through a four-day course divided into three hour sessions per day. Led by Kimberly Del Campo, these sessions are open for all TAMIU students, faculty and staff, and women in the Laredo community. The program begins in April and ends with a simulation test in which the students demonstrate their new-found abilities as a way to commemorate their journey.
The R.A.D program is a fulfilling experience that teaches women valuable self-defense abilities while providing a stress-relieving environment in which students are able to step out of their comfort zones and test their survival skills. “It’s a work out,” says Kimberly. The program was founded in 1989 and offers courses not only for women but kids and men as well. R.A.D. is a partnership between the Department of Continuing Ed and the TAMIU Police Department. Although the program is a four-day course, Del Campo says that if a group of five or more girls is interested in taking the course, then it is possible to hold private sessions to accommodate their schedules. R.A.D. will be offering classes on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. beginning in May and will be continuing the class this fall and next spring. R.A.D. also has a marvelous free lifetime membership, which can be used at any other R.A.D. class around the nation.
Campos was a part of martial arts and karate classes when she was young, and after being a part of R.A.D Kids, she was introduced to R.A.D Women.This will be the first time Del Campo will be working with the TAMIU community and she is beyond excited to commence a new journey for women of all ages. “Above all else, the classes are fun. You learn so much. You see the transformation of the women during the courses. It’s not really the lessons of ‘I can fight’ but rather, ‘I can survive’,” Del Campo stated enthusiastically.
TAMIU alumni, staff, and women from the Laredo community interested in joining this course can register online through the R.A.D website. There is a maximum capacity of 30 students, “in order to ensure the individualized attention of our students and it also depends on the availability of our instructors,” adds Del Campo. The classes are anonymous in order to keep the confidentiality of the students. R.A.D hopes to acknowledge women and give them the confidence to feel secure and protected. There is nothing more important than our own well-being, all women should consider being a part of R.A.D and change their chances of survival. Let’s start the training superwomen!
For more information and for registration you can visit http://www.tamiu.edu/ce/radWomen.shtm.