In the aftermath of the sexual assault of a 9-year old girl inside the Seward Park Library, a public forum is being planned this Sunday afternoon. The Lo-Down is co-sponsoring the event with the Seward Park Co-op and the 7th Precinct Community Council. Many other organizations are also involved.
Police circulated a sketch shortly after the May 6th incident, and continue to search for a suspect. The story struck a nerve with many parents (and resulted in widespread media coverage) — given the fact that the crime happened in such a public place.
Sunday’s forum will take place in the Mazer Theater at the Educational Alliance (197 East Broadway), from 1pm-2:30pm. Residents will have the opportunity to speak about safety concerns in the neighborhood. Personal safety experts will offer advice on preventing future incidents, especially those involving children. Elected officials, who will already be in the neighborhood for an event at the Hester Street Fair, have been invited to attend.
Julie Huang, a neighborhood resident and parent, has been instrumental in setting up the forum. Huang told us she felt strongly the community could do more than get the word out about a composite sketch, in the wake of this disturbing incident.
The Kaimen Company, her communications and consulting firm, is providing organizational support. Other groups involved include: the Chinese Chamber of Commerce the United Jewish Council of the East Side and the New York State Coalition Against Sexual Assault.
Throughout the week, you’ll be able to see forum updates and additional details by visiting the event listing on The Lo-Down’s Facebook Page. You can also go there to contact the forum’s organizers. They’re particularly interested in hearing from other neighborhood/advocacy groups looking to sign on and/or contribute educational materials for the event.
And, of course, if you have any information about the incident in the Seward Park Library, contact Crimestoppers.
DNAinfo News Editor Patrick Hedlund posted a story about this event and it can be found here:
http://dnainfo.com/20100602/manhattan/sexual-assault-of-chinatown-girl-sparks-community-forum-on-child-safety
You can add your organization, company, or individual name to this growing list of supporters by using the comment box feature on this blog post. Thanks!
The event is being organized by Seward Park CO-OP, 7th Precinct Community Council, The Lo Down NY and the following organizations/companies (currently in formation):
• Beth Israel Rape Crisis and Domestic Violence Intervention Program
• Chinese Consolidated Benevolent Association of New York
• Chinatown Ice Cream Factory
• Chinatown Sports Club
• Chinese Chamber of Commerce of New York
• DOVE Program at the New York Presbyterian Hospital
• The Educational Alliance
• HealthFirst
• Henry Street Settlement
• Kaimen Company
• Lin Sing Association
• MaxDelivery.com
• MinKwon Center for Community Action
• Museum of Chinese in America
• New York Asian Women’s Center
• The New York Center for Children
• New York City Alliance Against Sexual Assault
• New York State Coalition Against Sexual Assault
• NY Strangers Sports Association
• Paradigm Shift
• Parent Association of PS 184M Shuang Wen
• Parent Association of PS 20M Anna Silver
• Primitive Christian Church
• Project ENVISION, Lower East Side Coalition
• RAINN (Rape, Abuse, Incest National Network)
• Sexual Assault and Violence Intervention Program at
The Mount Sinai Medical Center
• United Fujianese of American Association
• United Jewish Council of East Side
• Vision Urbana, Inc.