Self-Defense Summer Camp Teaches Rape Prevention
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IRVING (CBSDFW.COM) - Inside the Irving Police & Fire Training Academy, a few dozen young women are spending the week in a self-defense summer camp.
Over four days this week, officers will teach them prevention, awareness, and how to reduce their risk of becoming victims of rape or attack.
"We work on using a powerful voice, a commanding presence, where you're not just walking around looking like a victim. We teach them to assert themselves and you do see a significant rise in their confidence when it's over," said Officer Jill Smith.
Smith helped bring the RAD curriculum (that's Rape Aggression Defense) to Irving Police three years ago.
"We live in a world where approximately one out of every four girls is going to be attacked or sexually assaulted by the time she is 18. We want to drive home the point that it doesn't have to happen to you," said Smith.
The camps, held a few times each year, are free and open to rising 6th graders through college freshman females.
Adult, female-only programs are held separately.
Many participants choose to repeat the program each year, like Yasmin Tucker, 12, and her sister Marla, 14. Their mother first signed them up last summer.
"I don't think most people realize that we're allowed to do certain things to defend ourselves," said Marla Tucker.
The Tuckers, like many of the girls enrolled, find the lessons empowering.
"It teaches me to be aware of my surroundings and if something does happen, I know what to do and I won't panic," said Yasmin.
The mornings begin with classroom lessons, and move to the gym at the training center, where the campers practice self-defense moves.
Wednesday's lesson included learning how to escape a choke hold – one of the most common tactics attackers use on victims, said Officer Smith.
"I've got both hands here. I can basically grab his throat, squeeze that and pull as hard as I can," said Smith, demonstrating on a fellow officer.
"Yes this is an extreme technique, and that can be deadly force, but if he's in the process of trying to sexually assault you, you are legally authorized to protect yourself in that manner," said Smith.
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Marissa Broome is headed to college a year from now. She said the skills she's learning now are important.
"When I'm out there without my parents, there's a bigger chance of something happening to me. I think it's really scary - I'm kind of small for my age," said Broome.
Smith says the most important lesson is not a physical one, but mental: standing up for personal boundaries.
"With teen dating violence on the rise and it mimicking domestic violence, we want them to be prepared to protect themselves," said Officer Smith.
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