Local women take safety into own hands

KETTERING, Ohio (WDTN) - "We're pretty small so it's scary," says Christina Engert.

She and Katie Scarpino are cousins.  

For Christmas, their grandmother decided to pay for them to take Rape Aggression Defense or RAD classes at the Kettering Police Department.

"Since we're going to college soon, she thought it would be a good idea to keep us safe," explains Engert.

One out of every 12 women in the United States will be a victim of a violent crime in their life.

RAD hopes to prevent more women from becoming victim.

"It's teaching women basic self-defense skills that's going to empower them to make, good safe, decisions," comments Sgt. Lee Sanders with the Kettering Police Department.

"We've learned a lot about being safe in parking lots and mostly awareness, so far," says Scarpino.

This is a 12 hour course spread out over four Tuesdays. It's offered for $25 and additional family members only pay $10.

But, women in the class say you can't put a price on safety.

"I just think it's good for all women.  It just makes you, like, more self-aware and makes you more empowered as a girl, more confident," explains Scarpino.

Kettering Police offer the RAD course 4 or 5 times a year.  For more information, go here.