Pee Dee Coalition works to empower Girl Scouts through self-defense training
The mission of the Girl Scout organization is building girls of courage, confidence, and character, who make the world a better place. With this in mind, Troop 423 contacted Ms. Tracy Williamson, ROAR Coordinator at the Pee Dee Coalition, to find out what tools were available to enable girls to more confidently navigate various situations that arise as they become more independent such as dating, heading off to college, and driving alone. Williamson shared two options: the basic eight-hour long RAD (Rape Aggression Defense) basic physical defense program or 8 one-hour long educational sessions.
On Saturday, August 5, 2017, a small group of Girl Scouts and leaders met at St. James United Methodist Church to begin empowering themselves by participating in the RAD Basic Physical Defense program. Tracy Williamson and MacKenzie Clemenston taught the course. During the training, instructors provided several scenarios to allow opportunities for discussion regarding awareness and safe practices followed by practicing of defensive techniques.
Pee Dee Coalition is a non-profit volunteer organization dedicated to the reduction of sexual assault, family violence, and child abuse and the needs of its victims. The Girl Scouts is a non-profit organization devoted to empowering girls. Both organizations are supported by the United Way whose mission is to improve “lives by mobilizing the caring power of communities around the world to advance the common good.”
Completers of the course received their RAD Basic Certification.
Churches or groups interested in RAD Basic Certification self-defense class should contact Tracy Williamson at 843-332-9299 or twilliamson@peedeecoalition.org. Upon completion of the Basic Certification course, individuals can take the Advanced course.
