University of Oregon Police Department Sergeant Jared Davis teaches a self-defense and pepper spray course on Nov. 27, 2023 (Eliott Coda/Emerald)
The University of Oregon supplies various self-defense resources to UO students through the UO Police Department, the Physical Education department and the UO Student Recreation Center.
UOPD sponsors a self-defense course for women only as a service through the National R.A.D System of Self Defense. Certified instructor Sergeant Jared Davis holds the R.A.D. Self-Defense for Women course. This 12-hour extensive course educates women on basic defense training and risk prevention.
“We seek to give women empowerment through learning these different [self-defense] techniques,” Davis said. “We want to increase the level of awareness of surroundings and how to respond to certain situations.”
According to Davis, the techniques of the class are designed for the body structure of women.
“One technique for a man may not be as effective for a woman just based on their built in their body structure and their muscle structure,” Davis said. “So, the different techniques that we present to women are going to be more effective to them.”
Additionally, UOPD sponsors a 90-minute self-defense co-ed class and an hour-long pepper spray co-ed class. The self-defense course consists of mindfulness discussions and essential self-prevention strategies. The pepper spray class consisted of hands-on training with the substance and tips regarding the usage and types of pepper spray.
“When people go out and just get a product, and then use it [pepper spray] without any training, they’re… putting themselves at a disadvantage,” Davis said. “The training that we provide gives people a lot of insight into what this product actually does.”
According to previous attendees, their confidence spiked in regards to self-protecting and in utilizing the substance.
“I have never gone into detail on how to use it [pepper spray], so I feel more confident now, ” attendee and UO student Adam Lurvey said. “It feels less perfunctory now.”
Similarly, the Rec offers a variety of self-defense workshops to UO community members.
The Empowerment Self-Defense Workshop is available to any self-identified woman and non-binary individuals. Participants are educated on self-defense tactics and clear boundaries to help reduce the risk of sexual assault.
“It is very important that we have safe spaces where we can come together and just feel seen, feel comfortable, feel like the activities we’re doing are adhering to our physical experiences that only we really have,” UO student Jasmine Sinclair said.
“Self-defense is something that not only gives you tools to protect yourself in a patriarchal society, but also it gives you confidence,” Sinclair said.
Coed Self-Defense Workshops are available to UO student groups. The content of the workshop includes non-violent physical techniques and verbal strategies.
The PE department offers the self-defense workshops as an establishment to the 10-week PE courses. PEMA 116 Women’s Self-Defense class is a two-credit class where students are taught a comprehensive approach to self-defense.
“Being on campus is already scary enough,” former PEMA 116 learner and UO student Ella Peake said. “We’re already a target, so I think it’s really important to lock these skills down. So, we can feel more safe.”
PEMA 115 Self-Defense is also offered as a PE credit.
The workshops and courses provided by UOPD and PE and Rec are designed to equip UO students during a possible sexual assault. Many female students emphasize the importance of self-defense skills.
One in five women will become survivors of sexual assault throughout their four years in college.
“Not all universities give you the option to take a self-defense class, but we do address those things in the class, so the class is making us aware of those statistics,” PEMA 116 learner and UO student Lily Barnes said.
Barnes said that the PEMA 116 class acknowledges the statistics on sexual assault.
“Self-defense is an easy thing to think that you’ll never need until you do need it, so I think there’s no harm in spending an hour or two or one day to achieve a much bigger benefit,” Lurvey said.
