United Against Violence Task Force Meeting & Free Self-Defense Training

Brooklyn, NY – Last night, Senator Hamilton, the Center for Anti-Violence Education (CAE), and Repair the World NYC, convened an emergency meeting of the United Against Violence Task Force and a free self-defense training for neighborhood residents. Recent violent crimes targeting women in Crown Heights prompted the event. On July 12th, four women in Crown Heights were sexually assaulted in under four hours by the same perpetrator, police believe. Police arrested a suspect earlier this week for those crimes. Also in July, police made two arrests for the sex trafficking of two 16-year-olds in Crown Heights.

During the United Against Violence Task Force meeting, participants thought through neighborhood action to stand against violence against women and sex trafficking. In addition, documentary filmmaker Danielle Rose shared themes from her film “In Our Backyard,” an investigative documentary on sex trafficking in Brooklyn that features three survivor advocates. The United Against Violence Task Force brings together activists and groups fighting all hate against someone for their identity -  standing together as a diverse community united to value each other’s humanity.

CAE self-defense instructors taught self-defense techniques including targets on an attacker to strike, the boxer’s block, open-handed strikes, and kicks. They also instructed on escaping someone’s grasp. Participants practiced the self-defense techniques and discussed with the instructors important topics like keeping safe, being self-defense prepared, and remaining aware of your surroundings.

NYS Senator Jesse Hamilton said, “Any one of these women attacked earlier this month could be your co-worker, your family member, or your friend. As neighbors, as allies, and as advocates, we stand in solidarity with them. Every member of our community is entitled to safety and to peace of mind. That’s why we joined together to offer this self-defense training workshop. And it is why we continue in our United Against Violence Task Force efforts. We will not allow violence to win. We will not allow criminals to win. We will uplift survivors and stand united.”

Danielle Rose, award winning filmmaker and producer of the documentary “In Our Backyard,” said, "If we all come together -- determined aid organizations, law enforcement agencies, elected officials, young people and especially survivor advocates --  then we can begin to end this serious epidemic. My investigative documentary, ‘In Our Backyard’ looks at the widely unknown and unspoken world of sex trafficking in Brooklyn and can be used as a weapon for change and a preventive tool. I join in raising awareness of these recent crimes and my hope is that more people will join the fight. The world needs to know that sex trafficking happens in Brooklyn."

Partners in presenting the event include (alphabetical):

·         Brooklyn Community Board 8

·         Danielle Rose, documentary filmmaker and director of the award winning film “In Our Backyard: A Documentary on Sex Trafficking in Brooklyn”

·         Gay Men of African Descent

·         Guns Down, Life Up

·         How Our Lives Link Altogether (H.O.L.L.A)

·         Life Camp Inc.

·         NYPD, 77th Precinct

·         NYS Senator Jesse Hamilton

·         Prospect Heights Neighborhood Development Council

·         Repair the World NYC

·         Senator Hamilton’s United Against Violence Taskforce

·         the Anti-Defamation League (ADL)

·         the Center for Anti-Violence Education

·         the National Organization for Women NYC (NOW-NYC)

·         the New York City Department of Probation

·         Tomorrow’s Leaders NYC

·         Wheelchairs Against Guns

About the Center for Anti-Violence Education:

The Center for Anti-Violence Education (CAE) develops and implements comprehensive violence prevention programs for individuals and organizations. Through a combination of education, physical empowerment, and leadership development, CAE provides underserved communities throughout the New York metropolitan area with skills to break cycles of violence.

About Repair the World NYC:

Repair the World NYC launched in the fall of 2015 to tackle pressing local needs by mobilizing communities to volunteer. We enable people to transform their neighborhoods, city and lives through meaningful service experiences, rooted in Jewish values, history and heritage. Our team of eight full time fellows partners with many organizations to recruit and train the volunteers needed to address education and food justice needs across NYC and with a focus in Central Brooklyn. Repair the World’s collaborative community storefront space at 808 Nostrand Ave is a hub for service and social justice initiatives

About Senator Hamilton:

Senator Jesse Hamilton has spent his entire career helping people, including over 15 years as President of the School Board and District Leader. He is a husband, father, and public servant delivering and fighting for one of the most diverse Senate districts in New York State.