Dear HKS women : time for some self-defense?
by Lakshmi Iyer, Culture Writer on December 17, 2009 in Culture
Earlier this year, The Citizen featured an article on the safety of Harvard students in and around Cambridge streets. (See “Safety Concerns Highlighted by Cutbacks,” by Carolyn McGourty, MPP ’11, October 11, 2009).
The fear of being attacked is obviously not restricted to life in Cambridge. It could happen anywhere, at any time of the day or night. Women probably think about this fear very often – while walking back alone from a party, after a late-night group assignment, or while encountering a creepy-looking person in the elevator or a lonely hallway.
Of course, there are many ways to take precautions to guard against being in such situations; however, one cannot always avoid them. Additionally, any particular threat to a woman is not usually posed by a stranger: most people reading this article have at least one friend nor acquaintance who has been subject to some sort of abuse by a boyfriend or a male friend of some kind.
In order to equip female constituents of Harvard University with the skills to fend off such attacks, the Harvard University Police Department (HUPD) has started self- defense classes especially for women. The course, entitled the “Rape Aggression Defense (RAD) Program” is open free of charge to female students, and female faculty and staff of Harvard University. RAD empowers women to combat various types of assaults by providing them with realistic self-defense tactics and techniques. The classes focus on four basic principles: education, dependency on self, making one’s own decisions, and realization of one’s own power. Sergeant Amy DiVirgilio, from HUPD is the leading instructor for these sessions. She is supported by Patrol Officer Bill Connell and Sergeant David Burns.
Says Sergeant DiVirgilio, “I have been teaching RAD for 10 years, and it has truly been the most rewarding part of my job. Many women taking this class have not thought about what to do or how they would react in a tough situation. I feel we are giving them options and teaching many women that they can do something they never thought they could. The class is empowering in many ways.”
The first session covers various ways to prevent assault or attacks. The key here is to stay alert and remain aware of one’s surroundings. Listening to your Ipod’s blaring music while walking alone at 3 AM is not going to help you notice that creep following you. Alternatively, if you must listen to music, plug the earplug in just one ear. Another big lesson: do not be afraid to use your voice. Most women choke up or black out when attacked. This is the time to scream your lungs out. Another important tip: be aware of the 24-hour shops locations - you will know which direction to run in for help.
“My advice would be to take time to put thought into your personal safety. We all have busy lives, but take two minutes during your day to think about what you can do to prevent being a victim of any crime. Know what areas are well lit, populated at different hours, and where you could go for help. Look for the blue light,” said Sergeant DiVirgilio. The second and third sessions involve applying these techniques through practice with instructors.
The classes are typically held at 10 Akron or the Strauss common room in Harvard Yard. I urge all HKS women to look out for these emails and sign up!
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