Senator Addabbo Leads Community Self-Defense Training For Sexual Assault Awareness Month in April
April 29, 2026
Instructor Jaylin Torres practices with Sensei Jason Lopez.
Senator Joseph P. Addabbo, Jr. hosted a community self-defense training on April 23, 2026, on the Center Green at the Shops at Atlas Park in Glendale in collaboration with Tiger Schulmann’s Martial Arts of Glendale. To commemorate Sexual Assault Awareness Month, this event called on residents to develop real-life self-defense techniques and learn about sexual violence prevention.
About 40 people of all ages participated in a 45-minute mixed martial arts training session where attendees gained confidence while attaining defense skills. Around 10 instructors and assistants filtered through the crowd to maintain good technique and safety during the class.
Those who completed the class were given a coupon for a free week of classes at Tiger Schulmann’s Glendale, sponsored by Sensei Chris Iavarone, the owner and manager who partnered on this event for the second year in a row.
Representatives from Safe Horizon, the largest victim service agency in the country, and members of the NYPD Special Victims Division, which investigates sex crimes, were on hand to provide additional resources and support to promote safety and awareness.
“We need to empower survivors, community members,” Addabbo said. “We want people to feel safer and stronger. Access to self-defense skills and helpful information can reduce violence and help prevent harm. Thank you to our partners and sponsors who made this event a success, including Tiger Schulmann’s Glendale for providing free classes for residents to continue learning and develop skills for life.”
During the first half of the presentation Sensei Jason Lopez focused on the fundamentals of empowerment, awareness, confidence, stance, spacing and punch, kick and elbow strikes that may occur during a fight. In the other half, Sensei Lopez focused on close-range defense with hands-on and interactive drills, focusing on escapes from grips and how to respond to ground attacks in a safe environment.
Participants were encouraged to use the moves they just learned and practice them by attacking Tiger Shulmann's student Robert Capparelli, who wore a heavily padded suit and helmet. He was well protected and in good spirits as he said he is used to wearing heavy safety gear when he engages in kickboxing.
“With a focus on safety and awareness in our community, events like this one should remind us all of the strength in knowledge and unity,” Addabbo said. “A little preparation goes a long way in real world situations.”
"Do a little something every day to be ready for the one day you need it,” concluded Sensei Chris Iavarone.
Senator Addabbo would like to thank the event’s partners Ashkenazy Acquisition Corp. (the new owners of the Shops at Atlas Park) Tiger Schulmann’s of Glendale, NYPD Special Victims Department Liaison Unit and Safe Horizon.
Those seeking help, resources or services, can contact Safe Horizon’s Rape and Sexual Assault Hotline at 212-227-3000.
Video from the Sexual Assault Awareness event is available on Senator Addabbo’s YouTube at the links below:
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