In a move that will extend the program to three separate Florida Atlantic campuses, a Rape Aggression Defense course has been added to the Jupiter campus.

Since 1989, the national program has taught self defense to 900,000 women, according to its website.

The three-day, women-only course was initially offered at the Boca Raton campus by the FAU Police Department during the fall semester. The courses are sponsored by the department but taught by certified Rape Aggression Defense instructors.

According to FAU Police Sergeant Mary Douglas, the move came after FAU students expressed a desire for more classes to be held. She added that of the 43 women enrolled in the first course, 20 attended. Of the 43 women enrolled in the second course, 19 attended.

“I would definitely consider taking this course. It’s better to be safe than sorry in potential situations and it sounds like a good way to be able to protect myself,” said sophomore communication studies major Kiley Platt.

Female students, faculty or staff members of FAU, Palm Beach State College or Broward College are able to attend at no cost. If the classes have enough space, women from the general public are allowed to attend for free as well.

RAD courses are only offered at the Davie campus once during the fall semester, according to Douglas.

“Physical defense sessions can not only provide women with the opportunity to better their physical and mental strength during an attack, it also provides them with a peace of mind knowing they can protect themselves in a rape or aggressive situation,” said junior sociology major Kelly Ross. “I’m surprised the courses are only offered to women, because men are also subjected to rape. Perhaps not as often as women, but it still occurs.”

Those interested are able to attend the two classes in Jupiter on Feb. 1 and Feb. 8. The course offered at the Boca campus will be available on Feb. 2, Feb. 22 and March 1.

To sign up for a RAD course, visit the FAU Police Department’s website.

Bella Riccitelli is a contributing writer with the University Press. For information regarding this or other stories, email [email protected] or tweet her @bellariccitelli.