Over the next week, volunteers will mentor female students on effectively defending themselves from sexual aggressors with the RAD system.

The RAD system, or Rape Aggression Defense system, is divided into three sessions with the final session being a simulated course involving the “redman,” a red, padded body suit, which students can use to execute the techniques they’ve learned. The training is being held in conjunction with the Student Association’s Week of Action, a week dedicated to bringing awareness to sexual assault on college campuses.

There are four instructors for the RAD program. Here are their reasons for why they volunteer to teach RAD:

NIU police Officer Daniel Mojica, and father of two daughters, is the lead instructor for the program and is spearheading the training.

“I’m doing this to teach women the empowerment of self-defense,” Mojica said. “It’s so women are not scared in these situations and this program presents them with viable options to use in those situations as well as giving them peace of mind.”

Lisa Stocksdale, senior administrative assistant of the Athletics Department, said the program is a great for campus awareness of sexual assault.

“This program … brings the community together on a really important issue,” Stocksdale said. “I know victims and survivors, and teaching awareness is important in helping women avoid getting into those situations”.

NIU police Officer Maria Christiansen said her experience on the police force encouraged her to become an instructor.

“Police officers here deal with a lot of victims and I don’t want to take these reports on sexual assault,” Christiansen said. “It’s more about prevention.”

Softball head coach Christina Sutcliffe, said she works with female athletes on a daily basis and instructs RAD to keep female athletes “safe in whatever situation they find themselves in.”