Free Self-Defense Classes Offered In Brooklyn

By: Erica Ferrari

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City Council Speaker Christine Quinn and community members took part in a free self-defense class Sunday in Sunset Park, Brooklyn by the Center for Anti-Violence Education, in the wake of a string of sexual assaults in the borough. NY1's Erica Ferrari filed the following report.

Dozens of women in Brooklyn empowered themselves Sunday by learning the skills necessary to fight off an attacker.

Since March, police say at least 20 women have been sexually assaulted in Park Slope, Sunset Park, Windsor Terrace, and Greenwood Heights.

"It's scary!" said one Brooklyn resident.

"I want to be able to protect myself," said another. "I brought my niece too because I feel like a lot of predators also go after children and I brought her here because she can learn to defend herself."

Police have made at least one arrest.

Adolfo Martinez, 26, is accused of groping a woman in Sunset Park Monday night. Police added six more cases to the pattern after Martinez allegedly told police he had done it before.

Police believe several suspects are responsible and have released a number of sketches.

City leaders hope providing self-defense classes in the neighborhood will make the message very clear.

"These are our streets, this is our borough, this is our city and we are not going to let these perpetrators cause us to live in fear," said City Council Speaker Christine Quinn.

Quinn, along with the Center for Anti-Violence Education and others both organized and participated in the event. The free self-defense classes are taught in English, Spanish and Chinese.

In addition to practicing how to break free from choke holds, kick, and punch, the women also learned other potentially life-saving tips.

"Keep our head up, our eyes open, turn and look behind us, not be wearing earphones. Sort of think about the message your sending with your body and body language. You don't wanna attack me because I might give you a little bit of a problem," said
Tracy Hobson of the Center for Anti-Violence Education.

"I think I learned some really important uses of my voice, working with my body as well," said one participant.

For more information on self-defense classes, visit caeny.org.