This past Sunday the sound of women yelling “No!” poured into the hallways of the University Union as the Rape Aggression Defense (RAD) program conducted its final session of the semester. The RAD program, which is instructed by the University Police Department, is open to all students, faculty, and members of the community.

According to Lt. Mitch Cook, RAD instructor, the most important thing that women will get out of the experience is self-confidence and a sense of empowerment.

“Women realize for the first time that they have the strength and ability to defend themselves-that they do not have to rely on other people,” said Cook.

Department of Justice statistics reported that three percent of college women experience a completed or attempted rape, and 13 percent are stalked at some point during their college career.

“I am taking the class because I am getting ready to go out into the real world, and there is no guarantee that you will be in a safe environment,” said Kimberly Graham, a UNCW senior.

RAD consists of four three-hour classes in which women are taught basic steps to reduce the likelihood that they will be attacked and are instructed on how to defend themselves in the event that they are assaulted.

A simulated attack is the final stage of the program in which women get the opportunity to demonstrate to themselves that they are able to employ the tactics that they have learned.

Despite the fact that RAD, which costs up to $100 at some universities, is free to anyone at UNCW who wishes to attend, this semester there has been a diminished level of interest in the program. Only six people attended this session, and the previous one was cancelled because only two participants showed up.

“The RAD program is something that is going to help you no matter where you are, and just because this is a safe campus does not mean that incidents can’t happen,” said Cook.

UNCW began offering the RAD program in 1993 and has recently increased the number of sessions offered each year from three to five. Additionally, weekend classes are now offered. Largely depending on whether or not there will be enough demand, the University Police Dept. is contemplating whether or not to offer RAD this summer.

Information on upcoming classes can be obtained by contacting University Police.