BOXFORD — The quiet bedroom community of Boxford isn't exactly known for violent crime, and the Police Department hopes a self-defense training class for women will help keep it that way.

Boxford Patrolman Matthew Dupont will lead a series of Rape Aggression Defense Systems classes next month, which teaches women how to avoid becoming victims of violent crime through awareness, prevention and self-defense.

RAD instruction is helpful in plenty of situations, including knowing the safest place to park at a shopping mall, he said. The class will teach hands-on self-defense tactics. Each student receives a RAD workbook and reference manual.

The class, free to Boxford residents or town employees, runs 5 to 8 p.m. on Aug. 11, 12, 14, 20 and 21. Attendees must go to all five classes, and registration is limited to 15 people.

The RAD course will be taught by Dupont at the Boxford Police Headquarters, 285 Ipswich Road. This is Dupont's second time teaching RAD in Boxford; he taught a six-class series in early June.

For more information or to register, call Dupont at 978-887-8135 or e-mail mdupont@town.boxford.ma.us.

— Staff Writers Bethany Bray and Mike Stucka