The Montgomery County Sheriff's Office is teaching women in Montgomery County to defend themselves. Through Rape Aggression Defense, women over the age of 16 are eligible to take a 12-hour course. The program includes six hours of classroom-setting preparation where instructors teach how to be safe at home, while traveling and in everyday life. In addition, students go through six hours of physical defense training where they learn stances, strikes and maneuvers to use if they are attacked or in a threatening situation. "[The class] is a real safe and calming environment for the students," said Deputy Jason Hopper, one of the class instructors. "We let [the students] do what they can do, and there is no pressure to do something they can't do or are not comfortable with doing." Hopper said men are not permitted to attend the class except as a class instructor, and other male officers are not permitted to enter the classroom. Hopper said the prevalence of rape across the nation is the primary reason why women—no matter where they live or what job they hold—should be prepared to defend themselves. Heather Meier, a mother of three, took the class last year. "Anyone who listens to the news, you hear about the bad things that happen in our world and no matter your situation—whether you are a stay-at-home mom and out and about with your children and feel the need to protect them or if you're single— whatever your situation is, if you are a woman in this world there is always some level of vulnerability there," Meier said. Now, Meier is trying to encourage neighbors in her community to take the class, and said women who are unsure about whether they can participate in the physical portion of the course should still give it a chance. "There is still so much you can take away from [the class] even if you cannot participate physically," she said. Hopper said the course teaches women how to yell for help so that bystanders are alerted. He said sometimes people do not want to get involved if the attack appears to be between people who know each other, especially family members. "Especially in the South there are a lot of people who will and want to help you—you just have to let them know you need it," he said. The Woodlands Courthouse Annex 1520 Lake Front Circle Drive, Ste. 900, The Woodlands 281-292 -3325, www.mocosheriff.com