Sunset Park, Brooklyn \u2013 More than 100 community residents joined City Council Speaker Christine C. Quinn, Council Member Sara Gonzalez, U.S. Congresswoman Nydia Vel\u00e1zquez, Tracy Hobson, Executive Director of The Center for Anti-Violence Education and advocates at a community-wide, free self-defense course held today in Sunset Park.<\/p>\n
The course empowered citizens on how to protect themselves from becoming victims of sexual assault. The classes were organized following a string of incidents that have occurred in various neighborhoods in Brooklyn since March and were taught in English, Spanish and Chinese.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe can each play a part in protecting ourselves and taking back our streets,\u201d said Speaker Quinn. \u201cFrom Park Slope, to Sunset Park and Windsor Terrace and everywhere else in Brooklyn, today\u2019s self-defense class empowered residents and sent the clear message that we will not tolerate sexual assaults in our neighborhoods.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNo one should have to fear being assaulted in their neighborhood,\u201d said U.S. Congresswoman Nydia Vel\u00e1zquez. \u201cToday\u2019s self-defense training will help keep our streets safe by giving community members the information they need to protect themselves.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThese deeply troubling attacks must be met with vigilance and community unity,\u201d said Council Member Sara M. Gonz\u00e1lez. \u201cLeaders from throughout my District have stepped up to help spread awareness and aid our efforts to empower women who fear walking through our neighborhoods. I am grateful for their efforts and deeply appreciate the leadership of our Speaker Christine C. Quinn who kicked off our march the other day and quickly followed through with these self-defense classes.\u201d <\/p>\n
\u201cEveryone has the right to walk the streets of their community without fear of attack\u201d, said Council Member Brad Lander. \u201cToday\u2019s training helped people across the borough respond to the recent string of violent acts in our community. The Center for Anti-Violence Education has been providing smart, effective support for people who are affected by violence. Thank you to Speaker Quinn and Councilmember Gonzalez for helping bring this training to Brooklyn.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Center for Anti-Violence Education has been providing self-defense and violence prevention programs for communities especially at risk of violence including women, youth and the LGBT community for 37 years,\u201d said Tracy Hobson, Executive Director. \u201cWhile we know that it is NEVER the fault of the person who is attacked, we also know that there are skills and strategies that we can use to keep ourselves and our loved ones as safe as possible. We\u2019re happy to be partnering with the City Council to be providing classes on these skills throughout the community.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAs recent incidents in Park Slope, Sunset Park and Bay Ridge have demonstrated, Brooklynites and New Yorkers need to be aware of their surroundings and have the ability to defend themselves when necessary,\u201d said Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz. \u201cI applaud the Center for Anti-Violence Education, Speaker Quinn, Council Member Gonzalez and everyone involved with organizing today\u2019s free self-defense course, which has given residents another tool in helping to make our streets safe for everyone.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cSafe Slope is a grassroots organization that formed in response to recent sexual assaults in South Brooklyn to create realistic solutions to empower community members,\u201d said Jessica Silk, Member and Co-founder of Safe Slope. \u201cWe commend Speaker Quinn for collaborating with CAE to offer free self-defense training. This collaboration demonstrates that violence in any community affects all New Yorkers, and we must work together to provide comprehensive solutions to minimize risk and, ultimately, prevent violence.\u201d<\/p>\n
The NYPD has released several sketches of the suspected assailants. Individuals with helpful information are urged to call Crime Stoppers at (800) 577-TIPS (8477).<\/p>\n
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Sunset Park, Brooklyn \u2013 More than 100 community residents joined City Council Speaker Christine C. Quinn, Council Member Sara Gonzalez, U.S. Congresswoman Nydia Vel\u00e1zquez, Tracy Hobson, Executive Director of The Center for Anti-Violence Education and advocates at a community-wide, free self-defense course held today in Sunset Park.<\/p>\n
The course empowered citizens on how to protect themselves from becoming victims of sexual assault.<\/p>\n
…<\/p>\n