Self defense classes aim to help keep children protected

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Trail safety may come to the forefront of people's minds following an attempted rape on the MKT trail Monday afternoon.

Michael Tyrone Council Jr., 30, is charged with two counts of first-degree attempted rape and second-degree property damage. He is being held at the Boone County Jail without bond. He allegedly tried to sexually assault two different women near the parking lot of the trail near 800 Stadium Boulevard before being detained. Other residents using the trail intervened after allegedly seeing Council tackle a woman.

Self defense classes like Resisting Aggression Defensively for Kids can be found on the Boone County Sheriff's Office's and Cole County Sheriff's Office's websites.

Christian Basi is the spokesman for the University of Missouri and said there are resources for students and staff to keep themselves safe.

"The police department will not only provide those trainings," Basi said. "They will also offer to come to any individual department and do a safety assessment."

Basi also said there are opportunities for students to be connected to resources during fall and spring safety fairs.

The police department also gives a regular presentation to students and parents during summer welcome, to insure they are aware of the various resources available to them while they're here on campus," Basi said.

RadKIDS is meant for children ages 5-12, with the program including lectures, safety drills, muscle memory exercises and dynamic situations meant to teach youth the proper way to stay safe. Students must attend all six hours for completion of the course.

Rape Aggression Defense (R.A.D.) is also featured on the Sheriff's office's website, and is a self defense class designed for women only. R.A.D. is open to girls and women ages 12 and older.

The course is 12 hours long and covers topics including general safety, travel safety, how to make your residence more secure, use of weapons and what to do post attack.