Valley women have the chance to learn new skills and feel empowered by attending Chandler PD's Rape Aggression class. The program consists of four classes over the course of two weeks, and it's free to attend.
Mom and daughter, Jeanine and Abigail Baxter, attended the class together as the teenager comes up to a big milestone.
"She just got her driver's permit," said Jeanine. "So as a very worried mom, I wanted to make sure when she's going to work, or going to the mall, or going out at night, she has all the tools she needs to make sure she's safe and can defend herself."
The classes teach self-defense moves, but they also stress the importance of always being aware.
"It makes me be more careful," said Abigail Baxter. "Where I turn around the corners, or how I see things now."
The class heard from guest speakers, before gearing up and getting to work.
"We're responsible for our own safety," said Instructor Robin Atwood.
At the final class, each woman gets one on one instruction, with two different male aggressors in the room.
"We express to them and teach them that they might have to do that," said Atwood. "They might have to scratch. They might have to bite. They might have to kick."
Many of the women were amazed at their own strength.
"It's been surprising," said Abigail. "I've never really thrown a punch before. So hitting the pad, I'm like whoa, I actually have a punch."
Many of the moms watched anxiously to see how their daughters will fend for themselves.
"I'm like, yeah, that's my girl," said Jeanine. "It makes me feel good seeing her and how she reacts and she's not being scared. I'm super proud of her."
Chandler Police post more about the classes and schedules. You can find out more here on their Facebook page.
