HopNews
When Georgia Kramer graduated from Hopkinton High School, she couldn’t have imagined that one day she would return to her alma mater as a protector and teacher, helping to save lives through the skills she imparts to young women. Today, as a police officer with the Marlborough Police Department, Kramer has become an integral part of one of the most valuable safety programs available to current HHS students.
A Full-Circle Journey
Kramer’s story is one of dedication that extends far beyond typical professional obligations. After earning her bachelor’s degree, master’s degree, and graduating from the Police Academy, she could have simply focused on her duties in Marlborough. Instead, she chose to give back to her hometown community by helping Diane Maillet as the “aggressor” in simulations for Hopkinton High School’s Rape Aggression Defense (RAD) program—a role that demands both physical prowess and emotional sensitivity. And it’s a role that very few women are willing—or able—to undertake, making her commitment all the more remarkable.
Working alongside her former teacher at Hopkinton High School (HHS), Diane Maillet, who has led the program since 2012, Kramer helps create realistic yet controlled training scenarios that allow students to test their self-defense skills in a safe environment. These well-orchestrated simulations are crucial for helping students understand how to translate classroom learning into real-world threat responses.
The Power of RAD Training
The RAD program is far more than a simple self-defense class. Since its inception in 1989, RAD has taught more than 900,000 women across the United States and Canada. The comprehensive curriculum begins with awareness, prevention, risk reduction, and avoidance strategies, then progresses to hands-on defense training that utilizes everyday body tools, such as hands, feet, elbows, and knees.
At HHS, the program has become a transformative experience for female juniors and seniors. Students consistently report increased self-awareness, assertiveness, and the confidence to set boundaries—skills that are especially vital given the statistic that one in three women will experience physical assault in their lifetime. The program’s impact extends to students of all backgrounds, including those who are gender-questioning or transgender, many of whom describe RAD as the first time they felt truly empowered and safe.
The course’s realistic approach, rooted in scenarios such as street attacks and ATM confrontations, allows participants to experience and process the adrenaline and decision-making involved in real-life confrontations under proper supervision and with emotional support readily available. These simulations are sometimes filmed for educational review, further enhancing the learning experience.
A Community Connection That Matters
What makes Kramer’s involvement particularly meaningful is her connection to the Hopkinton community. Having walked the same halls as current HHS students, she understands the unique challenges and atmosphere these young women face. Her participation represents a full-circle story of a former student now defending and empowering others.
Her commitment to helping with the RAD training shows all of us the kind of selfless community service that makes small towns like Hopkinton special. Kramer works alongside several other police officers from neighboring towns who also help with the training, creating a network of support that extends beyond municipal boundaries.
What? No Cops From Hopkinton?
For a town that has so much, there is a significant gap in community safety resources for Hopkinton. The RAD program was initially taught by then-Sergeant Tim Brennan and Officer Linda Higgins through the Hopkinton Police Department. Sergeant Brennan, who brought specialized RAD training and a trauma-informed, victim-centered approach to the program, was instrumental in creating a safe and empowering environment for participants, both for the school and the general public.
When Brennan left the department, the Hopkinton Police Department dropped the successful and popular RAD program entirely. This decision created a substantial void in the community’s safety infrastructure. Thanks to Diane Maillet’s dedication, the program survived by relocating to the high school setting; however, this transition meant that adult women in Hopkinton lost access to potentially life-saving training.
The impact of this loss cannot be overstated. Under Brennan’s leadership, the classes were sponsored by the Hopkinton Police Department and offered free of charge to all women in the community. The program was highly sought after, with enrollment capped at 30 participants per session to ensure personalized instruction and safety. Brennan estimates that he taught nearly one thousand women RAD. Now, adult women in Hopkinton must travel to other Massachusetts towns to access RAD training.
The Broader Picture in Massachusetts
Here is a list of 121 towns in Massachusetts that offer RAD training, either within the Police Department or the campus police department at colleges. Why can’t the HPD offer RAD to adult women in the community?
| Metric | July 2024 | July 2025 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Number of Properties Sold | 16 | 33 | +106.3% |
| Most Expensive Sale | $1,825,000 | $1,925,000 | +5.5% |
| Least Expensive Sale | $480,000 | $630,000 | +31.3% |
| Median Sales Price | $987,500 | $989,000 | +0.2% |
| Average Sales Price | $1,027,813 | $1,069,439 | +4.0% |
| Most Bedrooms | 4 | 4 | No change |
| Fewest Bedrooms | 2 | 2 | No change |
| Average Number of Bedrooms | 3.4 | 3.1 | -0.3 |
| Most Common Bedrooms | 4 (62.5%) | 4 (39.4%) | Less concentrated |
| Most Common Bathrooms | 2.5 (37.5%) | 2.5 (33.3%) | Similar pattern |
| Average Square Footage | 2,933 sqft | 2,766 sqft | -5.7% |
| Price per Sqft Range | $244-$469 | $252-$675 | Wider range |
| Average Price per Sqft | $356 | $395 | +11.0% |
The discontinuation of programs like Hopkinton’s represents a troubling trend that leaves women and girls without essential self-defense resources.
The Importance of Accessible Training
The holistic nature of RAD training addresses all aspects of personal safety. The program teaches participants not only how to defend themselves physically but also how to identify and avoid dangerous situations in the first place. This comprehensive approach to personal safety education has proven effects that extend far beyond the physical techniques taught.
Students credit the program with transforming them from uncertain individuals into confident young women ready to advocate for their safety. The course’s emphasis on empowerment is particularly significant for high school students, who often face unique vulnerabilities as they navigate increasingly independent lives.
The program’s national “Lifetime Return and Practice” policy adds additional value, allowing graduates to refresh their skills at any RAD program across the country at no cost. This feature ensures that the training remains relevant and practical throughout participants’ lives.
Looking Forward
Georgia Kramer’s dedication to the RAD program at Hopkinton High School shows the kind of community service that strengthens neighborhoods and saves lives. Her willingness to spend her time and expertise to help train the next generation of young women represents the best of what public service can achieve.
The stakes are too high for communities to abandon these programs. In a society where women’s safety remains a persistent concern, the work of people like Georgia Kramer and Diane Maillet represents more than commendable service—it’s a necessity. Her contributions ensure that young women in Hopkinton can face the world with greater confidence and the knowledge that they have the tools to defend themselves if needed.
The void left by the Hopkinton Police Department’s decision to discontinue the RAD program serves as a reminder of what communities lose when they fail to prioritize comprehensive safety education. Programs like RAD don’t just teach self-defense techniques; they build confidence, awareness, and resilience that serve participants throughout their lives.
As Georgia Kramer continues her vital work, her example should inspire Hopkinton to examine its commitment to women’s safety and empowerment. The question isn’t whether our community can afford to support RAD programs—it’s whether it can afford not to.
This is an excellent, highly informative article on an important topic. It calls attention to a serious lack in community services for women in Hopkinton. ALL are vulnerable to assault, regardless of age and should have access to this important self-defense training. However, God bless Georgia Kramer — but HopNews has unfortunately missed the boat with its headline. It is not attention-grabbing. EVERYONE needs to read this article but many will not because they think it is mostly about Georgia Kramer, when there is much, much more. Please consider a re-post and a headline re-write that will attract the readership it deserves! (On a side note – here is another example of Tim Brennan’s commitment to women’s safety and Hopkinton’s great loss.)
Thanks for your feedback. The article’s intent was to highlight Georgia Kramer’s dedication to RAD, as well as the need for RAD to return to Hopkinton for the sake of the adult women in the town. This training is so valuable. Per your suggestion, I’m considering a repost with another title and the current title as a subtitle. You are absolutely right with regard to the gaping hole left by the town’s firing of Tim Brennan—without cause.
Excellent article and comments. Thank you both!
Nice job with the article. It shows that one motivated citizen police officer can make a difference in the community. Instead we have a former deputy serving 7+ years in prison for violence against women. A lazy clueless nonresident police chief whose lack of leadership,empathy,accountability,and integrity trickles down through the ranks of HPD. A Select board that ranks the police chief equally with a rising young fire chief who is tackling rewriting all fire SOP’s. The select board seems to be more worried about their ego and damage control .