Females Throw a Punch

Last spring, there was an attempted abduction of a Providence College student off of Admiral Street. When a man tried to pull her into a van by her wrist, the student pounded her fist on his hand. This numbed his hand, causing him to let go and allowing her to escape. The girl had learned this tactic in a Rape Aggression Defense (RAD) class a mere two weeks earlier.

"She said that if she hadn't gone to that class she would have froze," said Sergeant David Marshall of Safety and Security. "That one class could have saved her."

Marshall incorporates such RAD techniques in the Women's Self-Defense program at the College, which is concluding its fourth semester this spring.

The program began as Rebecca Bergeron ‘10's Gender Action project as a part of her Women's Studies class. Bergeron had attended one of the hour -and-a-half-long self-defense classes that used to be offered by the College, but found that after a couple of weeks she had forgotten most of the moves.

"I thought we needed something a little longer to reinforce it," said Bergeron. "A bunch of people, male and female, signed the petition. I brought it to Dean Fortunato and it was met with some resistance at first but we finally got funding for it after about 10 months."

Incorporating both lectures and hands-on experience, the females enrolled in the 12-week course and learn different RAD techniques. They went on a field-trip to a boxing ring, where they practiced their punches and blocks with male and female professional boxers. Various professionals speak to the class about pertinent safety issues, the most recent being a lecture on drunk driving.

 "Self-defense is not just physical," said Sgt. Marshall. "Self-defense is mental also, being aware of your surroundings."

The Spring 2010 course ended this Wednesday. Father Shanley's brother, Captain Paul Shanley of the Brown University Patrol Bureau, led a session on martial arts in '64 Hall.
The girls learned how to fall down safely to avoid injury and how to position themselves to kick the predator in the stomach or the groin. Other guests included George Barker, formally a prison guard, and Patrolman Larry Werchadlo Jr. of the Providence Police Department.
During their last session, the girls learned how to defend themselves if someone approaches them from behind. This involved flipping a full-grown man down to the ground.

 "A lot of people were really excited for tonight," said Bergeron. "When we told them they could all flip a 250-pound man, they were all like, ‘No way!'"

Caitlin Mahler '10 was one of the participants who flipped Werchadlo, who weighs close to 250 pounds, over her shoulder and to the ground.

 "I was surprised when they told me to just do it," said Mahler. "But it was easier than I thought it would be. I'm sure in a real attack situation it would be harder, though."
She further explained the value of taking the class.

"I know a lot more than I did before, like how to block punches," said Mahler. "But they emphasized that we are not here to learn how to fight somebody. We are here to learn how to defend ourselves and get away.

This was essentially the reason Bergeron began the program in the first place.
"It is such essential knowledge to have, especially in the area we live in at PC," said Bergeron. "With people getting attacked off-campus at night, it is good to have some basic knowledge."

Women's Self-Defense integrates basic moves and techniques with more advanced moves in order to give students a holistic experience.

"Some of the things are very basic and you should know already, but some people do not because they do not come from a city," said Sgt. Marshall. "Some students are sheltered."
Students are asked to place a $30 deposit at the beginning which is returned to them in full as long as they maintain high attendance. This provides incentive for them to come every week and learn a variety of skills throughout the semester.

There will be a Women's Self-Defense class offered next fall, and Sgt. Marshall encourages all interested females to sign up.