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 2011. 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 November 13, 2011, the NYPD has logged 1,186 incidents of rape - a nearly 6 percent jump over 2010 levels and an increase of 19.3% over 2009 stats. Neighborhoods in the South Bronx, including Morrisania, Port Morris, Mott Haven, Melrose and Highbridge, have experienced some of the most dramatic increases in rape this year - a 40% spike over 2010 levels, according to the NYPD. 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 with private body parts in public places Passing lewd comments, sexual innuendos or sexually explicit gestures towards any gender Stalking and sexual assault

SAFETY TIPS
Sexual harassment and assault are never your fault. While work must be done to prevent sexual harassment and assault from being perpetrated, there are ways to increase your sense of safety in your community: 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. 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. If you notice a street light that is not working in your area, you can call 311 to file a service request. 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 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.

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Be alert and aware of your surroundings. 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, handheld 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. 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. 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. 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. 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.

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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 LG BTQ community members a safe late night ride home service on Friday and Saturday nights from 11:59 PM - 3 AM, across four NYC boroughs. To call for a ride, the dispatch number is (888) 215-SAFE (7233). Please note: Right Rides only turns on their phone on Friday and Saturday nights from 11:59 PM to 3 AM (either Saturday or Sunday morning). If you call during operational hours and you get the voicemail, please try calling back! Neighborhoods currently served by Right Rides: Brooklyn: Bedford-Stuyvesant, Boerum Hill, Borough Park, Bushwick, Carroll Gardens, Clinton Hill, Crown Heights, Downtown Brooklyn, Flatbush, Fort Greene, Gowanus, Greenpoint, Kensington, Lefferts-Gardens, Park Slope, Prospect Heights, Red Hook, Sunset Park, Williamsburg, and Windsor Terrace Bronx: Hunts Point, Mott Haven, Port Morris, and The Hub Uptown Manhattan: All of Harlem.

Midtown Manhattan: Pick-ups are offered from 23rd street to 60th street. Downtown Manhattan: All neighborhoods located 23rd Street and south. Queens: Astoria, Long Island City, Ridgewood, Sunnyside, Woodside

ADDITIONAL COMMUNITY RESOURCES

Bronx Community College In conjunction with the local NYPD precinct, Bronx Community Colleges Department of Public Safety works on crime prevention and offers workshops and other services to the college community throughout the year. Located in University Heights, BCCs officers patrol the campus and surrounding locations and respond to emergency situations. Contact: 718-2895923, Emergency: 718-289-5911, Email: public.safety@bcc.cuny.edu. Bronx Community Pride Center The Bronx Community Pride Center provides critical, direct social services, cultural sensitivity trainings, community education and a home for all LGBTQQ-identified individuals, including youth and seniors, to promote the health, education, emotional growth and well-being of the Bronx and northern Manhattan LGBTQQ communities. For more information, call 718-2924368 or visit www.bronxpride.org Men Can Stop Rape Men Can Stop Rape helps schools, organizations, government agencies and communities effectively engage men and boys in the prevention of gender-based violence, including sexual assault, domestic violence, sexual harassment and more. We have a wide range of programs available for middle school students through adult men. Please contact us at 914-450-3118 or www.mencanstoprape.org to find out more. New York City Anti-Violence Project (AVP) New York City Anti-Violence Project (AVP) empowers lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and HIV-affected communities and allies to end all forms of violence through organizing and education, and support survivors through counseling and advocacy. AVP operates a 24hour bilingual (English/Spanish) hotline at (212) 714-1141 or you can report violence at www.avp.org. You can also visit AVP at the Bronx Family Justice Center at 198 East 161st Street, 2nd Floor, Friday from 10AM6PM. All services are free and confidential. Center for Anti-Violence Education The Center for Anti-Violence Education offers free and low-cost violence prevention and selfdefense 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. The New York City Alliance Against Sexual Assault The Alliance provides a comprehensive guide to resources and services for victims of sexual assault throughout New York City, as well as information about victims rights when seeking treatment or filing a report. For more information, visit www.svfreenyc.org and click Get Help.

5 THINGS YOU CAN DO IF YOU WITNESS SEXUAL HARASSMENT OR STALKING

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, if you feel safe, ask the person who is being harassed "Hey, how are you? Can I help 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). During the act of harassment, if you feel safe, cause a distraction that will cause the harasser to stop. This may include asking the harasser for directions or for the time. 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. After the harassment, offer to escort the harassed individual to the police station or another safe location. Contact the police to report the harassment. If you do not feel comfortable contacting the police yourself, you can contact the Anti-Violence Projector assistance by dialing their 24hour bilingual (English/Spanish) hotline at (212) 714-1141 or visiting www.avp.org.

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IF YOU ARE THE VICTIM OF SEXUAL ASSAULT

1. 2. Go to a safe place and/or call someone you trust. It is important to seek medical treatment. If possible, go to a hospital designated as a SAFE Center of Excellence, where specially trained doctors and nurses can provide sensitive care to victims of sexual assault, as well as collect evidence if you so choose. You have the right to have evidence collected, even if you choose not to report the assault to the police. Find a list of SAFE Centers at www.besafenyc.org. Report the crime immediately by calling 911. Be sure to identify the exact location of the assault. NYPD officers are not permitted to ask victims about their immigration statusall victims of sexual assault have the right to file a report, seek help, and be treated with respect. 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 212-577-7777, The Center for Anti-Violence Education at 718-788-1775, or visit www.svfreenyc.org for information about free and confidential services throughout the city.

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IF YOU WITNESS A SEXUAL ASSAULT AND ARE UNABLE TO INTERVENE

Call 911 immediately. Be observant and make mental notes. o Note the address or street intersection. o Remember physical characteristics such as height, weight, race, beard, tattoos, or scars. o Pay attention to the clothing description. o How many people are involved? o Are there any weapons involved? o 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.

40th Precinct: (718) 402-2270 257 Alexander Ave., Mott Haven 41st Precinct: (718) 542-4771 1035 Longwood Ave., Hunts Point 42nd Precinct: (718) 402-3887 830 Washington Ave., Morrisania 43rd Precinct: (718) 542-0888 900 Fteley Ave., Soundview 44th Precinct: (718) 590-5511 2 East 169th Street, Highbridge 45th Precinct: (718) 822-5411 2877 Barkley Ave., Co-op City 46th Precinct: (718) 220-5211 2120 Ryer Ave., Fordham 47th Precinct: (718) 920-1211 4111 Laconia Ave., Wakefield 48th Precinct: (718) 299-3900 450 Cross Bronx Expressway, Tremont 49th Precinct: (718) 918-2000 2121 Eastchester Rd., Morris Park 50th Precinct: (718) 543-5700 3450 Kingsbridge Ave., Riverdale 52nd Precinct: (718) 220-5811 3016 Webster Ave., Bedford Park

Toll Free Hotline (800) 862-2637 (available 24 hrs) Main Office: 198 East 161st Street, Bronx, New York, (718) 590-2272 Satellite office: 4101 White Plains Road, Bronx New York, (718) 798-5892