The city announced today that the Portland Police Department has scheduled a series of Rape Aggression Defense classes to take place over the final two weeks of January. All of the pertinent details can be found in the city announcement posted below:

This January, the Portland Police Department will offer its Rape Aggression Defense (R.A.D.) Training class. R.A.D. provides women with the tools they need to both avoid dangerous situations and escape them.  The course is specifically designed to help women survive situations in which their lives are in jeopardy.

This class is open to all women, ages 13 and older, in the Greater Portland area who would like to develop real life defensive tools and tactics. The Basic Self-Defense Course consists of a series of four classes and one scenario day. The class is scheduled for January 17, 19, 24, and 26, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. and January 28 from 8 a.m. to noon.  All classes must be attended to complete the course. The classes will be held at the Portland Police Department, 109 Middle Street, Portland, Maine.

A donation of $25.00 for the course is suggested. All donations support the Amy St. Laurent Fund, which sponsors the R.A.D. trainings. Due to attendance issues, all donations must be paid prior to the first class (send checks to ASLF/PPD RAD Program, Portland Police Department, 109 Middle Street, Portland ME 04101). To sign up for the class or receive more information about Portland R.A.D., e-mail ppdrad@portlandmaine.gov or call 874-8643.