Fearful women traveling in packs after NYC sucker-punch scourge injured 14 women
The women of Gotham have found a new way to deal with the surge in random punching cases in New York City — walking the streets with an escort.
Self-defense instructor Tsahi Shemesh said the fear of imminent danger has been so palpable that six of his students have buddied up with each other or other pals to get to class, if they come at all.
The Post caught up with one of the women, Sophie, 24.
She said she asks her husband to attend Krav Maga classes with her at 250 West 100th St. or else simply accompany her to the studio.
“I’m definitely feeling afraid to go on my own [to self-defense classes] or anywhere on my own,” said Sophie, who moved to East Harlem from Indianapolis in May.
Fear has gripped the city as women have been reporting getting sucker-punched by strangers on the street.
There have been at least 14 reported cases in the city since March 20.
In one case, Stephanie Weng, 33, was walking on Union Square East near East 16th Street around 4:30 p.m. March 20 when she said she was approached from behind and struck in the face.
That incident came hours after another woman, Ashley Cruz, 23, was struck without warning while walking on Sixth Avenue near West 14th Street.
Halley Kate, an influencer with 1.2 million followers on TikTok, was among other victims.
She posted a video March 25 in the aftermath saying she was punched in the face and fell to the ground.
More women are inquiring about self-defense classes at Krav Maga Experts since October, according to Shemesh.
He has seen a 400% increase in emails and calls in the last two weeks alone.
For some, self-defense classes alone are enough to turn the tide on attackers.
Jenny Jiang was headed to the 7 train at Court Square around 11 a.m. last summer when a drunk man speaking a foreign language approached her.
“He tried to grab me on the sidewalk,” the Long Island, Queens, resident, told The Post. “I said, ‘no.’ He tried to grab me again. I crossed the street trying to get away from him and he was following me. There were people around but they weren’t helping me. I knew I had to turn around and confront the man, confront the problem. And I told him, ‘if you touch me again, I’ll fight back.'”
With that, the man yelled at her and “backed away,” Jiang, 42, said.
She credits her two years of Krav Maga classes with helping her fend him off.
“I feel more assertive,” she said. “Krav Maga has changed my body and the way I carry myself.”
Additional reporting by Tina Moore.
