Yes, it should be required because..It is the largest organization of its kind and it is the only such organization or program ever endorsed by the International Association of Campus Law Enforcement Administrators (IACLEA). [2]
To date, over 900,000 women have attended the RAD Basic Physical Defense Program. [2] At over 3500 colleges, universities, cities, counties, parishes and state police departments nationwide and internationally—these self-defense philosophies have been taught. [2] It teaches women defense concepts and techniques against various types of assault--concentrates on awareness, prevention, risk reduction, avoidance, and personal growth. [3] This program is designed for the average person with no previous experience or background in physical skills training. [2] High rates of sexual assault are coupled with low rates of reporting to law enforcement. It is estimated that nearly 20 percent of women will be victims of sexual assault during their college years [2]; One out of four college women [4]. Acquaintance rape or date rape is the most prevalent form of sexual assault on college campuses. [1] At Northern (NMU) it is a female-only participant course. [3] At NMU it is continually demanded by students. [3] Self-defense is a set of awareness, assertiveness, and verbal confrontation skills with safety strategies and physical techniques that enable someone to successfully escape, resist, and survive violent attacks. A good self-defense course provides psychological awareness and verbal skills, not just physical training. [1] On January 25, 2012, the U.S. Department of Justice’s Office for Victims of Crime (OVC) convened a forum to discuss ways to enhance criminal investigations of campus sex crimes. Campus law enforcement leaders were urged to support the need to facilitate more effective public safety provisions. [2] |
No, it shouldn't be required because..It is a course that is already offered at NMU if a female wants/chooses to take it. [Bajko, 2013]
There may be women who take the course and abuse the knowledge given. [3] Faculty/Staff Prevention Education services provide and receive regular in-service training to review office and University policies regarding prevention and effective responses to sexual assault. [3] Residence hall staff support student residences problems by focusing on healthy relationships, personal safety, and sexual assault prevention. [3] Statistics, both self-reports and police records, show that women are significantly less likely to be victims of violent crime than men. But closer inspection reveals disturbing patterns in these numbers that symbolize a devastating breach of trust. Most women are not attacked by strangers--nearly two out of three know their assailants. [1] Rape and domestic violence are among the most underreported of crimes; this fact leaves major gaps in information and contributes to police and courts sometimes giving such crimes lower priority. [1] Weapons are an option, but do have serious limitations. They must be accessible—not buried in a purse. It needs to be mechanically sound. It is important to recognize that some criminals on drugs may not react to mace or pepper spray. And also, it should not create the feeling of false security. [1] A study of serial rapists by the FBI's Behavioral Science Unit cautions that, because rapists' motivations differ, "there is no one specific way to deal with a rape situation.” [2] Special Agent Joe Harpold believes that fighting back always presents serious hazards because resistance "'turns on" certain types of rapists, prolonging and heightening their pleasure and putting the victim in greater danger. It's a frustrating response to women who want an all-purpose answer, but Harpold maintains that he can recommend a course of action to a person threatened by a rapist only if he knows the location of the confrontation, the personality of the victim, and the motivation of the rapist. [2] |