Daily News

Rape Aggression Defense Training Series Begins April 1 at HCC

HOLYOKE — Holyoke Community College (HCC) is offering Rape Aggression Defense (RAD) training for women beginning April 1.

The five-class series runs on Monday nights from 6:15 to 8:15 p.m. until May 6 in the fitness studio on the second floor of HCC’s Bartley Center for Athletics & Recreation. The class does not meet April 15 because the college is closed for the Patriots’ Day holiday.

Kellie Cournoyer, a veteran campus police officer with more than 20 years of law-enforcement experience, runs the program and teaches the course.

RAD teaches basic self-defense techniques to women of all ages who may find themselves in unsafe situations. The program veers from most self-defense systems to emphasize avoidance strategies more than physical contact. Participants will learn easy and effective self-defense and martial-arts techniques as well as additional training, including the use of aerosols.

The $25 course fee includes a free lifetime return and practice policy. For more information or to register, visit hcc.edu/bce or call HCC Community Services at (413) 552-2324.