Grapevine newsletter for University of Mary Washington faculty and staff.
november cover story -- safety matters: Sgt. mullen helps women help themselves
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Sgt. Sharon Mullen teaches Rape Aggression Defense to women and girls. Mullen is shown here with her daughter, Alexia, at class at UMW. |
They say that sometimes, late at night, if you go to the third floor
of Lee Hall and stand outside of the ballroom,
you can hear them.
Women's voices, shouting.
“NO! STOP! GET BACK!”
It's not the supernatural and it's not anyone in danger. In fact, don't bother calling the police, because they are already there. These late-night happenings are part of Rape Aggression Defense classes taught by Sgt. Sharon Mullen of the University Police. The RAD course aims to teach women how to maximize their security in order to prevent abduction and rape.
“The most valuable part [of the course] is self-dependency,” Mullen said. “It gives you self-confidence, which goes beyond defending yourself.”