A group of women at Wayne State University are empowering themselves this week with lifesaving self-defense tactics during a Rape Aggression Defense (RAD) course.

The RAD course, conducted by the Wayne State University Police Department (WSUPD), is available to all female WSU students, staff and faculty members. The course teaches awareness, prevention, risk reduction and hands-on self-defense techniques to protect women against potential attackers.

Over a 15-year span, the WSUPD has equipped thousands of women with valuable self-defense skills during the four-day class. The course is offered each month and is taught by several male and female WSU police officers, who are nationally-certified RAD instructors.

Wayne State invites you to take a closer look at this important program on its final night as the women face the ultimate test during three simulated attacks. Join us at 6 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 29, at the Wayne State University Police Department, 6050 Cass Avenue, Detroit, MI 48202. Please RSVP by emailing Jessica Archer at jarcher@wayne.edu.

Interview opportunity:

• Wayne State RAD instructors can share valuable tips for keeping yourself and your loved ones safe with verbal and nonverbal communication and, if necessary, physical self-defense tactics.

• Current RAD students can discuss why they are taking the course and what they’ve learned.

Programs such as RAD are key components to Midtown Detroit's recent drop 50 percent drop in crime. For more about Wayne State’s crime prevention and awareness programs, visit http://police.wayne.edu/programs.php.