Some women are feeling a little safer walking around campus today. That's because last night 12 women learned self-defense tactics in a free course offered to all female Penn State students.

The course, "Defending Ourselves: A Self-Defense Course for Women Students" is taught by Penn State University police and consists of four classes complete with lecture and physical training. Students attended last night's introductory Rape Aggression Defense (RAD) class at the Weston Community Center on West Campus.

University police officer and course instructor Rebecca Berdine said the goal of RAD is survival.

"RAD is a self-defense course for women," she said. "In here we will be teaching you how to protect yourself physically and prevent yourself from becoming a victim."

The course began with a lecture in which students were given statistics and tips on how to avoid becoming a victim. Berdine said that one in six women is a victim of sexual assault, and 80 percent of those victims are under the age of thirty.

"Some of these statistics are kind of eye opening," she said. "We are in a high target area. We don't want you to be scared but we want you to be safe."

Berdine said people should always keep doors and windows locked, jog outdoors with a partner and keep blinds and curtains closed.

"If your lights are on inside but it's dark outside, [an attacker] can see you but you can't see them," she said. "That's something to think about."

Berdine also stressed awareness.

"Being aware of yourself and your surroundings is probably the single most important piece of advice."

After the lecture, students participated in the physical part of the course. Standing in a large circle, the women practiced blocking, movement and striking motions. The first thing they learned was the defensive stance. "This stance is the same we will be using for all of our techniques," said Berdine. "We want to hide our vulnerable areas."

Berdine also instructed students to yell "no" during each move.

"As soon as you are yelling 'no,' you're getting everyone's attention," she said.

Students were instructed to focus on the vulnerable body parts of their attacker, including the eyes, groin, knees, nose and throat. Personal weapons include the elbow, fist, knees and the back of the head, said Berdine. "You're getting a toolbox," she said. "You are learning tools and it's up to you whether you use them or not."