Opinion: ALICE program could save someone’s life

By Guest

Dear Editor:

By all accounts, I was raised right. I abided by the “designated driver” rule. I called when I was going to be past curfew. I never drank to get blackout drunk, and when I went out for the night, I did so using the “buddy system.” I complained about rules back then, but looking back after getting some unexpected perspective, we had very little to complain about.

When I took RAD in gym class at Canton High, sure, I’ll admit that I laughed as much as the next girl as I flipped my best friend onto her back and fought through three padded “marshmallow men” cops. I was a naïve, sheltered white girl from upper-class Canton, USA. When in the world would I ever need to fight off an attacker?

The night I was assaulted over five years later, I had done everything right — just like I was raised to do. I was at a law school formal dance at a swanky downtown hotel. I had only had two glasses of wine. I was with a huge group of friends. One of those friends even escorted me to the ladies’ room where, like a gentleman, he waited outside to escort me back to the dance. There was no way for me to know that an ex-convict, illegal immigrant was hiding in the bathroom stall I was about to enter. It only took a few seconds before he shut the door, locked me in, and got behind me — putting me in a stranglehold and effectively stifling my cries for help. After several more seconds, a moment of clarity struck. With that clarity, I jammed both my elbows back into my attacker’s rib cage, and shoved my shoe heel into his shin. It was enough. He fell back and released me, and I ran. I escaped, testified at trial, and put him in jail.

Some will say it was a surge of adrenaline, or an intuitive response. I even told the judge I was thankful for having the athletic prowess to fight him off. But I also remembered what I learned in RAD, and I think it was a combination of all these things that are the reasons for my survival with nothing more than a few scars and nightmares.

At night, while I witness young girls texting and not paying attention to their surroundings in the slightest, I still walk to my car or through the city streets with my keys between my fingers, just like RAD taught me. These things, and my experience, might be a harsh reality for students and parents alike, but they are a reality nonetheless. Similarly, so is Columbine. And in the movie theatre in Aurora. And at the political event that killed a 9 year old in Tucson. What makes Canton any more immune from tragedy than the next sleepy town?

I only know a little from what I read about the ALICE (violent intruder response) program, but I was surprised at some of the negative responses. From what I understand, Canton has received a huge opportunity to receive training for a potentially life-saving program. Reality is tough; life is tough. But saving your own life when you least expect it is even harder. If this training saves one person, this program is worth it. I am living proof of that.

I would prefer not to hide behind Canton’s beautiful, safe, tree-lined streets. The world is bigger than the town and the people in it. ALICE, whether you can see it now or not, is likely a chance at life, if not for you, for someone else — like RAD was for me.

Sincerely,
Jennifer Seich

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