The ladies of Gotham have discovered a brand new strategy to cope with the surge in random punching instances in New York Metropolis — strolling the streets with an escort.
Self-defense teacher Tsahi Shemesh mentioned the worry of imminent hazard has been so palpable that six of his college students have buddied up with one another or different buddies to get to class, if they arrive in any respect.
The Submit caught up with one of many girls, Sophie, 24.
She mentioned she asks her husband to attend Krav Maga lessons together with her at 250 West a centesimal St. or else merely accompany her to the studio.
“I’m positively feeling afraid to go by myself [to self-defense classes] or anyplace by myself,” mentioned Sophie, who moved to East Harlem from Indianapolis in Could.
Concern has gripped the town as girls have been reporting getting sucker-punched by strangers on the road.
There have been at the very least 14 reported instances within the metropolis since March 20.
In a single case, Stephanie Weng, 33, was strolling on Union Sq. East close to East sixteenth Road round 4:30 p.m. March 20 when she mentioned she was approached from behind and struck within the face.
That incident got here hours after one other lady, Ashley Cruz, 23, was struck with out warning whereas strolling on Sixth Avenue close to West 14th Road.
Halley Kate, an influencer with 1.2 million followers on TikTok, was amongst different victims.
She posted a video March 25 within the aftermath saying she was punched within the face and fell to the bottom.
Extra girls are inquiring about self-defense lessons at Krav Maga Specialists since October, in response to Shemesh.
He has seen a 400% enhance in emails and calls within the final two weeks alone.
For some, self-defense lessons alone are sufficient to show the tide on attackers.
Jenny Jiang was headed to the 7 practice at Court docket Sq. round 11 a.m. final summer time when a drunk man talking a international language approached her.
“He tried to seize me on the sidewalk,” the Lengthy Island, Queens, resident, instructed The Submit. “I mentioned, ‘no.’ He tried to seize me once more. I crossed the road making an attempt to get away from him and he was following me. There have been individuals round however they weren’t serving to me. I knew I needed to flip round and confront the person, confront the issue. And I instructed him, ‘should you contact me once more, I’ll combat again.’”
With that, the person yelled at her and “backed away,” Jiang, 42, mentioned.
She credit her two years of Krav Maga lessons with serving to her fend him off.
“I really feel extra assertive,” she mentioned. “Krav Maga has modified my physique and the way in which I carry myself.”
Further reporting by Tina Moore.
