ANGOLA, IN – Every two minutes someone in the USA is sexually assaulted. Law enforcement officials in Steuben County are providing an opportunity for women to be more empowered to defend themselves if attacked.

The Steuben County Sheriff’s Office and the Angola City Police Department are offering realistic, physical, self-defense training for women and girls 12 and older.

The program is called R.A.D. Systems, which stands for Rape Aggression Defense. The program was established in 1989 and is an International network of certified Instructors. The instructors believe self-defense should be easy to learn, easy to retain, and relatively easy to use if physically confronted.

R.A.D. course includes one night of the lecture, two nights of practicing techniques, and as part of the last night there is simulation.

R. A.D. Systems offers no nonsense, practical techniques of defense, but it is NOT a martial arts program.

Organizers say 90% of self-defense is awareness and this program will teach it, specifically risk awareness, prevention, reduction, and avoidance, while progressing to the basics of hands-on defense training.

The program will be held Monday October 10th, Tuesday October 11th, and Thursday October 13th from 5:30 PM to 9 PM. The program will be held at Ryan Park Elementary School Gymnasium (1000 South John McBride Avenue, Angola).

The program is free of charge. A twenty-dollar deposit will be collected at the time of registration, and returned to all participants that complete all 3 nights of the program. This program will be a basic program. As a refresher, students who have already completed the three-night course are encouraged to attend the second and third nights of the program.

To register contact First Sgt. Brad Kline at Steuben County Sheriff’s Office at 260-668-1000 ext. 5260 or Assistant Chief Darrin Taylor at Angola Police Department at 260-665-2121.