R.A.D. Program

R.A.D. stands for Rape Aggression Defense. The Refuge started to include this very powerful program in 2007 as a means of increasing a woman’s empowerment as she goes through our trauma and substance abuse treatment. Given that a woman is physically assaulted every 13 seconds in this country, The Refuge felt that this program is a necessary offering in our extended care treatment to bolster a woman’s self-confidence in addition to help heal the wounds of the past. This program is specifically designed for women of all ages and in any physical condition.

The Refuge utilizes the R.A.D. program to empower women using verbal, physical and emotional techniques. We stress building a woman’s self-esteem and confidence over a period of our 8-week R.A.D. course.

The client experiences moving from victim to survivor to thriver. R.A.D. is a basic personal defense system nationally utilized and taught by most law enforcement departments that teach self-defense tactics and techniques for women only. R.A.D. is the only self defense program ever endorsed by the International Association of Campus Law Enforcement Administrators (IACLEA).

R.A.D. For Men

R.A.D. stands for Resisting Aggression with Defense. Due to the success of the women’s program, we added a men’s counterpart in 2008. The men’s program asks its participants to raise their awareness of aggressive behavior, to recognize how aggressive behavior impacts their lives, to take steps to avoid aggressive behavior, and to look at how they can be part of reducing aggression and violence.

The male R.A.D. program provides realistic self-defense strategies for men forced into physical confrontation. R.A.D. is the only self-defense program ever endorsed by the International Association of Campus Law Enforcement Administrators (IACLEA) and only trained staff can provide this valuable resource.

R.A.D. is designed to empower men to make different decisions when confronted with aggressive behaviors. This is the first step towards reducing aggression and violence for themselves and their loved ones.