For Immediate Release

Thursday, June 23, 2016

Contact: John Guilfoil
Phone: 617-993-0003
Email: john@jgpr.net

Reading Police Hold Successful Rape Aggression Defense Classes for Women

READING — Chief Mark D. Segalla announces that the Reading Police Department hosted two successful sessions of its Rape Aggression Defense (R.A.D.) course.

The program is designed to teach personal safety skills. It begins with awareness, prevention, risk reduction and avoidance, and progresses to hands-on physical defense techniques.

Reading Police conducted two sessions over the past seven weeks – training and educating more than 45 women. The last course ended on June 16.

“This course provides women with the skills they need if they were put into an uncomfortable or dangerous situation,” Chief Segalla said. “I congratulate and commend the women who completed this program.”

Chief Segalla would also like to thank the Young Women’s League of Reading for their generous donations to the R.A.D. program, as well as the Reading Municipal Light Department, Peabody Police Department, North Reading Police Department, Babson College Police Department, Melrose Police Department and Wilmington Police Department for lending their support.

The Reading Police Department R.A.D. team is planning on running classes in the fall and spring. Those who would like to sign up, or who want more information, can email Community Service Officer Kristen Stasiak at kstasiak@reading.ma.us or call the R.A.D. phone line directly and leave a message at 781-942-6752.

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