WATERVILLE — Classes for women wanting to learn self-defense tactics and techniques will be hosted on Tuesdays during March at the Waterville Fire Department.

The Rape Aggression Defense System is a comprehensive course for females 12 and older and is taught by Waterville police officers Jennifer Weaver and Galen Estes, as well as Meg Hatch, advocate for Sexual Assault Crisis & Support Center, based in Winthrop. The instructors are nationally-certified RAD teachers.

The class, open to females only, costs $25 per person and will be held 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. March 6, 13, 20 and 27.

The course begins with classes in awareness, prevention, risk reduction and risk avoidance and progresses to the basics of hands-on defense training. The course is not a martial arts program.

Each student is provided a workbook/reference manual that outlines the physical defense program.

Graduates who present their manuals are eligible to take the course wherever and wherever it is offered, free of charge, for a lifetime.

Those wanting more information may contact Weaver at 680-4700 or e-mail her at [email protected].