FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 6, 2008
Contact: Brandi Pannell
(662) 329-7119

MUW Police Department to offer course on personal safety

COLUMBUS, Miss. - The police department at Mississippi University for Women is offering the personal safety seminar “Refuse to Be A Victim.” The seminar is a nationally recognized program developed by the National Rifle Association. The first session of the seminar was held on Thursday, Feb. 28 in Hogarth Student Center.

MUW Police Chief Calvin Sellers is a certified trainer for the “Refuse To Be A Victim” program. He received his training at the Attorney General's Office in Jackson. The attorney general sponsored the program and helped bring it into the state. With his 16 hours of training, Sellers can teach the class, as well as train others to lead the class.

Sherry Honsinger, coordinator of support services at the MUW Police Department, said the seminar focuses on personal safety awareness. While there is no physical self defense taught in the class, it does cover several topics and offers tips on ways to stay safe. For example, it covers what kind of locks to have on the doors and windows of a home and steps people should take when leaving home. Honsinger added the seminar is a good lead into Rape Aggresion Defense (RAD), a self-defense course also taught by members of the department.

The police department is planning to offer more sessions in the future
depending on campus and community interest. Dates for the seminars will be announced as they become available. For more information, please call the MUW Police Department at (662)241-7777 or check the NRA website at www.nrahq.org.