CONTENTS

1. Background 2. Safety Tips 3. Free Community Services to Escort You Home 4. Other Helpful Resources 5. 5 Things You Can Do If You Witness Sexual Harassment: 6. If You Are the Victim of Sexual Assault 7. If You Witness a Sexual Assault & Are Unable to Intervene

BACKGROUND
Rise in Public Sexual Assault & Harassment Despite improvements in a number of citywide crime statistics, New York City has witnessed a rise in the number of rapes and misdemeanor sex crimes over the course of 2012. According to the U.S. Department of Justice, sexual assault is one of the most under reported crimes, with 60% still being left unreported. As of October 7, 2012, the NYPD has logged 1,151 incidents of rape - a nearly 6% percent jump over 2011 levels and an increase of 12.7% over 2010 stats. Out of New York Citys five boroughs, Brooklyn has the highest number of reported rapes. As of October 7, 2012, there were 352 reported rapes and 923 misdemeanor sex crimes in Brooklyn. Anyone with additional information on any of these attacks is asked to call NYPD Crime Stoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS (577-8477). You can also submit an anonymous tip online by visiting: http://bit.ly/stopcrime

What is Public Sexual Assault & Harassment? Inappropriate sexual behavior from lewd comments to groping, flashing and assault are a daily, global reality for women and LGBTQ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer) individuals. But it is rarely reported, and all too often has become culturally accepted as the price you pay for being a woman or for being gay. Sexual assault and harassment includes but is not limited to the following: Inappropriate, unwanted or forceful touching towards any gender Accidentally brushing sexual parts of the body Flashing or fondling private body parts in public places Making unwanted lewd remarks, sexual innuendos or sexually explicit gestures towards any gender Stalking and sexual assault

SAFETY TIPS
Although harassment and assault are never your fault, there are a few things you can do to minimize your risk. Here are some ideas: 1. Trust your instincts. They are usually correct. If you suspect that you are being followed stay away from lonely quiet blocks and head for a store you know to be open. Dont be afraid to contact the police if you question your own safety in a situation. 2. Plan your route along well-lit streets where there is a lot of foot traffic or establishments open at the time of your walk. If you are going to an area that youre not familiar with and it is late at night, walk with others or consider taking a car service or taxi. 3. Utilize community resources. Hollaback! provides a website (nyc.ihollaback.org) and iPhone and Droid apps that allow you to anonymously share your story and view harassment and assault cases in your neighborhood that may have not be reported to the police. If you dont feel safe, non-profit organizations such as RightRides Safe Walk/Safe Slope or the Brooklyn Bike Patrol are available to escort you home in the evening and late-night. The Center for Anti-Violence Education also offers effective and empowering self-defense courses. See details below. 4. Be alert and active. When walking home at night, keep your head up so you can see your surroundings. Work to present strong eyes and body language. Dont wear headphones or display other inviting targets like cell phones, hand-held electronic games, or expensive jewelry. Carry your bag close to your body, tucked in the bend of your elbow, so you can let it go if you have to. 5. If a motorist bothers you while you are walking, turn around and walk in the opposite direction of the car. Do this as often as necessary.

6. Have your house key in your hand before you reach the door. Keep your keys in your hand until you are safely inside for added protection. 7. If you are coming home late at night, consider taking a taxi, car service or asking a friend for a ride even if its a short distance. If you take a taxi or someone drops you off at home, ask the driver to wait until you are safely inside. 8. Dont be afraid to yell and make a scene. Attackers often expect us to be silent. Use a loud voice to draw attention and to let the attacker know you will not be an easy target.

FREE COMMUNITY SERVICES TO ESCORT YOU HOME

Right Rides Area: Four boroughs/45 NYC neighborhoods Contact: 888-215-SAFE (7233) www.rightrides.org / info@rightrides.org Right Rides offers women and LGBTQ community members a safe late night ride home service on Friday and Saturday nights from 11:59 PM - 3 AM, (early Saturday or Sunday morning) across four NYC boroughs. To call for a ride, the dispatch number is (888) 215-SAFE (7233). We Make Us Better, Volunteer ride-home Escort Service Area: Park Slope, Utica Avenue subway station. Contact: WeMakeUsBetter@gmail.com http://www.facebook.com/pages/We-Make-Us-Better/180406855303565 A group of 20 young men from Bedford-Stuyvesant started this secured ride-home escort service after a spate of muggings and robberies in Brooklyn. The group safely escorts pedestrians from train stations to their homes. Brooklyn Bike Patrol, Volunteer ride-home Escort Service Area: Southern Park Slope and Prospect Heights. Contact: 718-744-7592 / rocket55j@aol.com Brooklyn Bike Patrol was started by a group of cyclists following an outbreak of sexual harassment cases in Park Slope, Brooklyn. The group offers secure escort service to pedestrian women from the subway to their home between 8:00 PM to 12:00 AM. Safe Slope - Safe Walk Initiative Area: South Slope, Greenwood Heights and Windsor Terrace Contact: 347-709-8852 / safeslope@gmail.com Safe Slope-Safe Walk initiative is a voluntary program that provides safe ride-home escort service to women and LGBTQ community members. Safe Walk volunteers provide pick up from 8:00 PM 3:00 AM at train stations and safe drop offs anywhere between 9th and 30th Street between 2nd and 8th Avenue, Brooklyn. The Safe Walk program is currently operating Thursday-Saturday nights. For more information, visit www.safeslope.org

Brooklyn College, Office of Safety and Security Area: Brooklyn College, CUNY, Midwood/Flatbush Contact: 718- 951-5511 Brooklyn College offers a campus security escort service.

ADDITIONAL COMMUNITY RESOURCES

Center for Anti-Violence Education The Center for Anti-Violence Education offers free and low-cost violence prevention and self-defense classes for youth, women, LGBTQ communities and survivors. Resources are also available for parents and organizations. For more information, call 718-788-1775 or visit www.caeny.org. Hollaback! Hollaback!, a non-profit decided to ending public sexual harassment and assault, provides a website (nyc.ihollaback.org) and iPhone and Droid apps that allow you to anonymously share your story. The organization also offers a map of harassment and assault cases in your neighborhood that may have not be reported to the police. The Coalition for Gender Equity in Schools The Coalition for Gender Equity in Schools provides workshops for youth, by youth, which help participants identify sexual harassment, develop skills to address it, and learn about their right to a safe school as outlined in Title IX. Call 718-857-1393 or email coalition@ggenyc.org for more information.

5 THINGS YOU CAN DO IF YOU WITNESS SEXUAL HARASSMENT

Too often people feel helpless when they witness harassment or assault because they fear escalation. Here are a few things you can do to intervene, safely: 1. During the act of harassment, ask the person who is being harassed "Is this person bothering you"? That question alone may deter a harasser who believes no one will intervene. If they say yes and the harasser does not leave or persists harassing, tell the harasser to stop or call for assistance (from police, a transit authority worker, or other people nearby). 2. During the act of harassment, cause a distraction that will cause the harasser to stop. This may include asking the harasser for directions or for the time.

3. After the harassment, ask the person who was harassed if they are OK, and if there is anything you can do to help. If there is help them out. 4. After the harassment, offer to escort the harassed individual to the police station or another safe location. 5. Contact the police to report the harassment.

IF YOU ARE THE VICTIM OF SEXUAL ASSAULT

1. Go to a safe place. 2. Report the crime immediately by calling 911. 3. Call someone you trust. 4. Get support. If a stranger or someone you know attacks you, remember: it is never your fault. Try to get help and support from friends, family, rape crisis programs, domestic violence programs, counselors, or other services. Call Safe Horizon at 212577-7777 or The Center for Anti-Violence Education at 718-788-1775 for information about available services throughout the city.

IF YOU WITNESS A SEXUAL ASSAULT AND ARE UNABLE TO INTERVENE

Call 911 immediately. Be observant and make mental notes. o o o o o o Note the address or street intersection. Remember physical characteristics such as height, weight, race, beard, tattoos, or scars. Pay attention to the clothing description. How many people are involved? Are there any weapons involved? Are the persons involved on foot or in a vehicle? If a vehicle is involved, try to get the license plate number and take note of the color and type of vehicle.

You do not have to give your name when you call 911. If you wish to remain anonymous or keep information confidential tell the operator.

60th Precinct: (718) 946-3311 2951 West 8th St (Coney Island) 61st Precinct : (718) 627-6611 2575 Coney Island Avenue (Sheepshead Bay) 62nd Precinct: (718) 236-2611 1925 Bath Ave (Bensonhurst) 63rd Precinct: (718) 258-4411 1844 Brooklyn Ave (Marine Park & Mill Basin) 66th Precinct: (718) 851-5611 5822 16th Ave (Borough Park) 67th Precinct: (718) 287-3211 2820 Snyder Ave (East Flatbush) 68th Precinct: (718) 439-4211 333 65th St (Bay Ridge) 69th Precinct: (718) 257-6211 9720 Foster Ave (Canarsie) 70th Precinct: (718) 851-5511 154 Lawrence Ave (Flatbush & Ditmas Park) 71st Precinct: (718) 735-0511 421 Empire Blvd (Lefferts Gardens) 72nd Precinct: (718) 965-6311 830 4th Ave (Sunset Park)

73rd Precinct: (718) 495-5411 1470 East New York Ave (Brownsville) 75th Precinct: (718) 827-3511 1000 Sutter Avenue (East New York) 76th Precinct: (718) 834-3211 191 Union St (Carroll Gardens & Red Hook) 77th Precinct: (718) 735-0611 127 Utica Ave (Crown Heights) 78th Precinct: (718) 636-6411 65 6th Ave (Park Slope) 79th Precinct: (718) 636-6611 263 Tompkins Ave (Bed-Stuy) 81st Precinct: (718) 574-0411 30 Ralph Ave (Bed-Stuy) 83rd Precinct: (718) 574-1605 480 Knickerbocker Ave (Bushwick) 84th Precinct: (718) 875-6811 301 Gold St (Downtown Brooklyn) 88th Precinct: (718) 636-6511 298 Classon Ave (Fort Greene) 90th Precinct: (718) 963-5311 211 Union Ave (Williamsburg) 94th Precinct: (718) 383-3879 100 Meserole Ave (Greenpoint)