Classes are being offered on campus to help women protect themselves from potential attackers.
Holyoke Community College launched its first RAD class on Monday evening.
RAD, or Rape Aggression Defense training, is a 5-class series that focuses on avoidance strategies, rather than physical contact in unsafe situations.
A campus police officer teaches self-defense techniques to women of all ages. One Goshen woman told 22News she wished she had taken a class like this when she was younger.
“I think every female should take this class,” said Christine Williams. “I wish I had known about it in my 20s when I was in college. It’s fantastic, I’m gonna tell everybody I know.”
The classes will continue on Mondays at HCC through May 6 – with the exception of April 15, due to the school being closed for Patriots Day.