Hopkinton High School alum Georgia Kramer, now a police officer in Marlborough, was among those participating in the most recent RAD program at HHS.

Georgia Kramer described walking down the halls of Hopkinton High School for the first time in 10 years as “a cool experience.” But the Marlborough police officer was not just paying her alma mater a friendly visit. Instead, Kramer was participating in the Rape Aggression Defense (RAD) program, acting as one of the “aggressors.”

HHS wellness teacher Diane Maillet noted the semester-long course has been offered since 2011 (with a break during COVID). This semester has 65 junior and senior girls enrolled; last semester had 78.

Maillet cited a statistic that one in three women will be attacked during their lifetime, and this self-defense course gives the young women the physical tools to fight back. In addition, the class also builds their self-confidence and self-awareness, she said.

Kramer said the RAD program is especially important for students heading to college. For some young women, it is their first time away from home and their support systems.

“RAD shows girls what they are capable of,” Kramer said. “It gives them tools to use when they find themselves in danger.”

On April 7, HHS held its half-day RAD simulation event. In addition to Kramer, acting as aggressors were Captain Don Brickman from Worcester State University Police, Sgt. Kalah Laplante and Officer Michael Sabatalo from Clark University Police and Officer Keith Moro and Sgt. Zac Attaway from Marlborough Police.

“They are meant to scare them and make them feel anxious,” Maillet said of the aggressors’ roles.

This year’s scenarios included students walking down the street and encountering an attacker, and students standing at an ATM machine and getting attacked from behind. There also was a situation where students stood with their eyes closed while an aggressor walked around them, making threatening comments. The student could say anything they want during this time, but when the “attack” happens, they open their eyes and use their moves to get to the exit.

Kramer said there is another situation sometimes used with two aggressors posing as partygoers along with a student. While one distracts the girl, the other moves in for the attack.

Maillet said that by building self-defense techniques in class through repetition, fighting back and escaping using their arms and legs becomes “a natural reaction” for the young women.

On standby for the students are counselors, a therapy dog, a wellness instructor and a group of classmates who watch and offer encouragement. In addition, each participant has a control monitor to provide reminders and help if the individual is struggling with what to do.

At the conclusion, the students sit in a circle for a “debriefing,” to discuss the experience, share pizza and calm down.

Maillet acknowledges it can be a difficult, emotional time for the students, and they often do not remember their reactions, which are videotaped and shown in class afterward. The rest of the day is treated as an in-house “field trip” so students can decompress.

“Building confidence is very important,” Maillet noted. “Being aware of surroundings, knowing where exits are and going out with friends responsibly and looking out for each other … all of these things [make a difference].”

Maillet said she has asked students to get in the habit of making eye contact with others to let them know they are aware of their presence and feel confident — even when they do not.

She also advises the young women to lock all car doors immediately after entering a vehicle.

And she recommends always knowing the location of exits in rooms and buildings and staking out their place of living when it gets dark out.

An added benefit of RAD, the teacher said, is it puts students in contact with police officers prior to when they may need to seek their help one day.

“Police officers should be good resources … safe spaces to go to and feel comfortable with,” Maillet said.

Added Kramer: “RAD is a great program to empower women. You can actually see their hesitation at first, and then their growth and confidence build.”

Kramer noted that the Marlborough Police Department offers the RAD program periodically to the public, and it is not age-specific. The last session had participants ranging in age from 14 to 80.

“It is an important course for all ages. You just do not know if something is going to happen,” Kramer said. “RAD provides women with the skills they need if, God forbid, they are in danger and ever have to use them.”

Also assisting at the HHS simulation were control monitors (and Hopkinton residents) Heather Stone and Amy Markovich, as well as Theresa Reardon, Melisa Cadet, Susan Vigeant, Frank Urbani and Thea Marcoux.