Dozens of women turned out Sunday for a free self defense course in Sunset Park as police continue to search for suspects in at least 20 groping assaults throughout the borough.
Several female politicians were in attendance. Hit the jump to find out more.
Amanda Mullen
Marketing manager Amy Li is so spooked by the sexual assaults in her Brooklyn neighborhood that she brought her elderly mother along Sunday to learn a few self-defense moves of her own.
“I am more apprehensive now. I always make sure who is walking next to me and who is walking behind me,” Li, 28, of Sunset Park, said before sparring with her gray-haired mother, who speaks no English.
The mother-daughter duo were among dozens of women who turned out for a free self-defense class as cops hunt for suspects in at least 20 groping assaults in a cluster of Brooklyn neighborhoods, including Sunset Park, Park Slope and Windsor Terrace.
Several lady politicians – dressed in business suits – joined them, warning sex fiends that Brooklyn’s gals are ready to fight back.
“We will not tolerate them terrorizing our community,” Rep. Nydia Velazquez (D-Brooklyn) told the crowd outside the Sunset Park Recreation Center before letting loose a barrage of hand blocks and knee jabs.
“We want to make sure women in Brooklyn know how to protect themselves,” City Council Speaker Christine Quinn said.
Two instructors from the Center for Anti-Violence Education offered step-by-step tips to ward off an attacker:
– Scream first. “Stand up for yourself. Yell. Aim to use your voice as a weapon instead of being physical,” said Tracy Hobson, the center’s executive director.
– If the creep doesn’t leave, get ready to fight using closed fists to block your face and an open palm to strike.
– When hitting, aim for the eyes, nose or throat – places on the body that are soft and easy to hurt.
– When kicking, target the knees with a swift kick using the heel of the shoe.
Police Commissioner Raymond Kelly, speaking at a police ceremony in Queens, urged victims and witnesses to call the NYPD’s Crime Stoppers hotline at (800) 577-TIPS with tips.
“We do believe it is more than one individual,” Kelly said.
Housekeeper Maria Garcia, 46, arrived at the tail end of yesterday’s free class, but said she may sign up for a separate five-week course at the Center for Anti-Violence Education’s Park Slope location.
“I need to learn defense,” Garcia said. “What will I do if somebody comes up to me? Run? I can learn to stay and fight back.”
