Walking into a self-defense class can be intimidating, especially when the subject matter involves personal safety and trauma. For many Oakland University students, the Rape Aggression Defense program offers a space focused on empowerment, awareness and confidence. The program allows participants to learn skills in a supportive and structured environment.

The Rape Aggression Defense, commonly referred to as RAD, is a women-focused self-defense program offered through the Oakland University Police Department as part of its public education services on campus. It combines mental preparedness with physical techniques designed to help participants avoid and escape dangerous situations. Students learn strategies that focus on prevention as well as defense.

“RAD is a process,” Detective Shona Collins, a RAD instructor with OUPD, said. “Each class builds on the prior one. Walking through the doors the first night is difficult, and students report a wide range of feelings, from anxiety to excitement and everything in between.”

Rather than focusing solely on physical defense, Collins said RAD teaches students that most self-defense occurs before a confrontation happens. The program emphasizes four principles: risk awareness, risk recognition, risk reduction and risk avoidance. These skills help participants identify potentially dangerous situations early and respond effectively.

“There is no 100% way to prevent sexual assault because every situation is different, the mental and physical aspects of RAD help aid a woman in avoiding and escaping. RAD teaches students to be self-reliant, practice a defensive mindset and back that mindset up with physical techniques if necessary,” Collins said.

Collins said many students who complete the course report increased confidence and a greater sense of self-awareness. Beyond learning techniques, participants often describe RAD as a supportive environment where women learn alongside one another. Many students choose to participate quietly, valuing RAD as a private and encouraging space.

“Many students have reported that RAD has changed their lives for the better,” Collins said. “From meeting new friends and feeling more confident, to learning in an environment where women support other women, to using techniques that help avoid a situation or survive an assault or abduction.”

Collins mentioned some students hesitate to enroll due to time constraints or the belief that they do not need self-defense training. She said she wishes no one ever needed to take RAD but emphasized its importance as a preventive resource. The program is designed for empowerment before a crisis occurs.

After completing the course, Collins encourages students to continue practicing what they learned and remain aware in their daily routines. RAD offers a lifetime return and practice policy, allowing participants to refresh their skills at no cost. This ongoing support helps maintain confidence and proficiency over time.

“Practice keeps the defensive mindset alive. Confidence and proficiency matter. It’s about consistently looking for risk and maintaining the internal voice that says, ‘I will survive,’” Collins said. Students are encouraged to integrate awareness and preparedness into their everyday lives. RAD emphasizes mental readiness as much as physical defense.

According to Rape Aggression Defense Systems, RAD is a nationally recognized program that focuses on prevention, risk reduction and personal empowerment through education and physical defense training. The program has a proven record of helping women feel safer and more self-reliant. Oakland University’s RAD offerings align with these national standards.

OUPD offers several RAD course options on campus, including basic physical defense, advanced self-defense, aerosol defense, keychain defense and weapons defense. This variety allows participants to select courses that meet their needs and comfort levels. The courses are structured to build skills progressively.

For students seeking safety education and a supportive learning environment, RAD offers more than self-defense techniques. It provides awareness, confidence and empowerment on campus. The program gives participants tools to navigate daily life with greater security and self-assurance.