From March 6 to 27, a group of Hopewell and Pennington women spent three hours every Thursday night kicking, punching, and yelling at the top of their lungs. A political rally, you ask? A rowdy Girl Scout troop? A contentious Board of Ed meeting?
Nope—it was a free R.A.D. (Rape Aggression Defense) Systems self-defense class, sponsored by the Hopewell Township Police Department.
R.A.D. Systems is a nationwide program offering self-defense training for women, children, men, and seniors. When I saw a Facebook post about the class coming to Hopewell, I immediately signed up—and coaxed my 17-year-old daughter into joining me. She’ll be heading to college soon, and I was happy to learn that after completing a Basic-level class, she can attend another R.A.D. Basic class anywhere in the U.S. free of charge to keep up with her training.
The class is offered regularly at Penn Medicine in Princeton and was brought to Hopewell by Township Police Officer Maria Gavdanovich, a certified R.A.D. instructor. As a faithful supporter of our nation’s police, I still cringe when I recall kicking Officer Gavdanovich in the stomach—and cheering as my daughter delivered a right hook to her face. (Don’t worry—she was covered head to toe in protective gear.)
Hands-On Training and Realistic Simulations
Our tussle with Officer Gavdanovich and her fellow instructors took place on “Simulation Night,” the final session of the four-part course. Each class runs three hours and includes lots of repetitive drills—cue the sighs and eye rolls from my teenager. She and her siblings have endured my personal safety lectures since they were toddlers. Perhaps she was annoyed to hear the instructors validate Mom’s “paranoid” ramblings: Check around your car before you get in… Don’t look at your phone while walking… Eyes and ears open… Stay in a group…
During simulations, all that repetition paid off. Just as the instructors promised, muscle memory took over. As I braced for a “shark attack” (four aggressors circling me), my mind went blank. I forgot everything I’d learned. I tried to channel Bruce Lee in Enter the Dragon—eyes darting from one opponent to the next—but really, I was a bundle of nerves. Like many women, I’ve never thrown a real punch and have luckily never been attacked.
But then, when an Aggressor pushed up behind me, my body knew what to do. When another threw punches at my face, I blocked and parried. I can’t remember what the other two did—it happened so fast—but I managed to get away and find my Exit. My classmates cheered, as we did for every participant. When it was over, I wanted more.
Even better was watching my daughter. Suited up in full protective gear—helmet, gloves, elbow pads, knee pads, and vest—she confidently stepped into the ring for a “pretend you’re at the ATM” exercise. Her normally quiet voice erupted in a primal “NO!” as she fought off an Aggressor from behind, kicked another out of the way, and delivered that powerful strike to Officer Gavdanovich’s face. I beamed with pride as the women around me gasped and cheered. Move over, Bruce Lee!
A Private Class Just for Women
This particular R.A.D. course was for women only, and strict confidentiality rules apply. We’re not allowed to describe techniques or share class photos—measures designed to protect the integrity of the training.
R.A.D. provides each participant with a letter explaining why these techniques should not be shared outside of class or practiced at home, especially with domestic partners. There are good reasons for this:
- The element of surprise is critical. Aggressors don’t expect women to fight back effectively.
- Practicing at home with a partner can result in being overpowered, teased, or discouraged.
- Casual demonstrations can lead to incorrect instruction and lack of the repetition needed to build muscle memory.
“Our goal is to reduce violence against women by empowering them to defend themselves,” explained Debbie Millar, who was the lead instructor for this Basic class. She and her co-instructor Craig Harley both work in the Community Wellness department at Penn Medicine, where a variety of R.A.D. Self-Defense Systems classes are offered (click here for the calendar).
Millar and Harley clearly have a strong working dynamic and serious skills. Each session included scenarios where Harley would pretend to assault Millar—grabbing her arm or pinning her against a wall in a strangulation hold. Given the intensity of these moments, the instructors were highly attuned to participants’ emotional well-being. Frequent wellness checks were built into each session: everyone made eye contact with the instructor and gave a thumbs-up to confirm they were okay.
“I was a little shocked when he slammed her against the wall like that,” shared one participant, who wishes to remain anonymous. “In fact there were several moments when I felt uncomfortable… but I’m glad because I need to face those moments and push through my discomfort. I’ve never hit anyone before, and it’s scary.”
By the end of simulations, every participant had successfully fended off the Aggressors and made a safe exit from the ring. Each was guided by an instructor acting as a “guardian angel,” calling out helpful cues like “Behind you!” or “Knee him in the groin!” if someone froze or got overwhelmed.
I watched shy, hesitant participants—some even apologizing for hitting—transform into confident fighters, eager for the next challenge. When asked who planned to return for the Advanced class in June, many hands shot up. My daughter and I will be there, ready to train in ground defense and face more simulations.
To stay updated on upcoming classes, follow the Hopewell Township Police Department on Facebook or Instagram.
