TSU self-defense program fosters safety on campus, in community

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (TSU News Service) – Tennessee State University’s self-defense program is open to students, faculty and staff, as well as the community, TSU officials say.

TSU Crime Prevention Officer Aerin Washington talks to Channel 2 about university's self-defense program. (photo by Lucas Johnson, TSU Media Relations)

That was part of the discussion TSU Crime Prevention Officer Aerin Washington had Thursday with a Channel 2 reporter who visited the university to talk about the R.A.D. program.

R.A.D. (Rape Aggression Defense) is a comprehensive program emphasizing awareness, prevention, risk reduction and avoidance. The 12-hour class is taught over the course of three days in four-hour sessions.

TSU’s program, which is open to the university and community free of charge, is the only one in the state that offers a male and female course.

Washington said self-defense programs like R.A.D. are important because “you can’t always depend on law enforcement to be the first line of defense when it comes to your personal safety.”

“You are the first line of defense when it comes to your own personal safety,” she said. “And so having a program like this really empowers our community members, as well as our students, faculty and staff to take that into their own hands. We want to make sure they’re able to defend themselves in any given situation.”

TSU Police Officer Lewis Lawrence, Jr. said opening the program up to individuals outside the TSU family helps foster a sense of safety in the community.

“This is something we can pass on to our community … so they have viable options to protect themselves,” Lawrence said.

To learn more about the R.A.D. program, visit http://www.tnstate.edu/police/radselfdefense.aspx.