Spring Break
The Daily OrangeDPS to offer free rape defense class
By Sarah Lee
Posted: 9/17/08, 1:58 AM EST Section: News
Some students may be unaware that such a course is even being offered, said Menjivar.
"Most of us are usually busy with classes that we don't really think about our safety even though we should," she said.
Sam Emanuel, a sophomore piano performance major, said he thinks the lack of student response to the program also may indicate women's confidence in their pre-existing knowledge of defense skills.
"This is a pretty open campus, and people are pretty vocal about these kinds of issues and feel like they don't need to worry about them," he said. "Because students know the risks that are out there, they feel like they're already well informed."
The department has taken new measures this year to attract students to the program.
Last year, the course cost $25 per student and $35 per faculty member. This year's course is free. It is also no longer limited to people affiliated with the university.
No one who has taken the course has contacted Lentz to say that she faced a situation where the learned defense moves were needed. Lentz said the course is an education tool, even if the women never have to put the skills they learned to use.
"For the most part, I have had people tell me at the end of the class that they felt a lot more confident and empowered with themselves," Lentz said. "That makes me feel good as an instructor, and I know it was important for them to take the class."
shlee10@syr.edu
"Most of us are usually busy with classes that we don't really think about our safety even though we should," she said.
Sam Emanuel, a sophomore piano performance major, said he thinks the lack of student response to the program also may indicate women's confidence in their pre-existing knowledge of defense skills.
"This is a pretty open campus, and people are pretty vocal about these kinds of issues and feel like they don't need to worry about them," he said. "Because students know the risks that are out there, they feel like they're already well informed."
The department has taken new measures this year to attract students to the program.
Last year, the course cost $25 per student and $35 per faculty member. This year's course is free. It is also no longer limited to people affiliated with the university.
No one who has taken the course has contacted Lentz to say that she faced a situation where the learned defense moves were needed. Lentz said the course is an education tool, even if the women never have to put the skills they learned to use.
"For the most part, I have had people tell me at the end of the class that they felt a lot more confident and empowered with themselves," Lentz said. "That makes me feel good as an instructor, and I know it was important for them to take the class."
shlee10@syr.edu
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