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 September 30, 2012, the NYPD has logged 1,121 incidents of rape - a nearly 4.6 percent jump over 2011 levels and an increase of 12.3% over 2010 stats. Manhattan has the highest rate of rape per capita in New York Citys five boroughs. As of September 30, 2012, there were 260 reported rapes and 622 misdemeanor sex crimes in Manhattan. 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
Although sexual 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. If you notice a street light that is not working in your area, you can call 311 to file a service request. 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 are available to escort you home in the evening and late-night. The Center for AntiViolence Education also offers effective and empowering self-defense courses. See details below. 4. 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, 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) 215SAFE (7233). The Dispatch number to call for a ride home is (888) 215-7233 SAFE. 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, Windsor Terrace Bronx: Hunts Point, Mott Haven, Port Morris, The Hub Uptown Manhattan: all of Harlem (areas from 96th Street and north on the Eastside and from CPN/110th Street on the Westside, up to 165th Street) Midtown Manhattan: We only offer pick-ups in the areas from 23rd street to 60th street. Downtown Manhattan: all neighborhoods located 23rd Street and south. This includes Battery Park, Chelsea, Chinatown, East Village, Lower East Side, MPD, NYU, West Village. Queens: Astoria, Long Island City, Ridgewood, Sunnyside, Woodside

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 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, 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. Be sure to identify the exact location of the assault. 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.

1st Precinct: (212) 334-0611 16 Ericsson Pl (Tribeca) 5th Precinct: (212) 334-0711 19 Elizabeth St (Nolita) 6th Precinct: (212) 741-4811 233 West 10 St (West Village) 7th Precinct: (212) 477-7311 19 1/2 Pitt St (Lower East Side) 9th Precinct: (212) 477-7811 321 East 5 St (East Village) 10th Precinct: (212) 741-8211 230 West 20th St (Chelsea) 13th Precinct: (212) 477-7411 230 East 21st St (Lower East Midtown) Midtown So. Pct: (212) 239-9811 357 West 35th St (Midtown South) 17th Precinct: (212) 826-3211 167 East 51st St (Midtown East) Midtown No. Pct.: (212) 767-8400 306 West 54th St (Midtown North) 19th Precinct: (212) 452-0600 153 East 67th St (Upper East Side)

20th Precinct: (212) 580-6411 120 West 82nd St (Upper West Side) Central Park Pct: (212) 570-4820 86th St & Transverse Rd (Central Park) 23rd Precinct: (212) 860-6411 162 East 102nd St (East Harlem) 24th Precinct: (212) 678-1811 151 West 100th St (Upper West Side) 25th Precinct: (212) 860-6511 120 East 119th St (East Harlem) 26th Precinct: (212) 678-1311 520 West 126th St (West Harlem) 28th Precinct: (212) 678-1611 2271-89 8th Ave (Harlem) 30th Precinct: (212) 690-8811 451 West 151st St (Harlem) 32nd Precinct: (212) 690-6311 250 West 135th St (Harlem) 33rd Precinct: (212) 927-3200 2207 Amsterdam Ave (Wash. Heights) 34th Precinct: (212) 927-9711 4295 Broadway (Wash. Heights)