State Senator Joseph Addabbo is joining a local women’s martial arts group to bring free self-defense classes to senior centers this summer.

The group, Fearless Fighting Females, will provide hour-long workshops at the Middle Village Senior Center and other centers around Addabbo's district to teach seniors how to defend themselves in case of an attack.

The free classes will be led by Evon Reyes, founder of Fearless Fighting Females. Reyes said she “felt compelled to do something” after hearing the statistics on how many women endure assaults on a frequent basis.

“I needed to help other women and girls,” said Reyes, a certified women's self-defense instructor and a black belt in Filipino Martial Arts. “I am excited to teach older adults how to fight off an attacker.”

The workshops have already started, but classes will continue on August 2 at 11:15 a.m. at the Middle Village Senior Center, 69-10 75th Street. Other classes include Thursday, August 25 at 9:30 a.m. at the Peter Cardella Senior Center, 59-14 70th Avenue in Ridgewood, and 11 a.m. the same day at the Woodhaven Senior Center, 78-15 Jamaica Avenue.

“Most of my district’s senior centers are predominantly attended by women,”Addabbo said. “Evon’s training methods have produced positive results in the lives of her students who don’t want to become tomorrow’s crime statistics. We’re hoping many men at the centers will also fearlessly join the classes.”

At the senior centers, Reyes will teach the basics of self-defense and more, so that seniors can become more aware.

“Rape is a crime of power – not of sex – the power the predator has over his prey,” said Reyes. "And seniors are targeted because they are perceived as easy prey.”

According to Reyes, the answer is to meet power with power.

“I focus on four or five moves to create a deterrent by utilizing a cane, a walker, hands and forearms against the attacker,” she said. “I also teach avoidance tactics like paying attention to those around you and moving towards people if you feel threatened.”

She demonstrates how to press a cane up against the attacker’s throat and Adam’s Apple, and to use the handle side of an umbrella to hit the attacker in targeted areas.

Finally, although the attacker warns you not to, screaming and drawing immediate attention is among the first lines of defense.

“Be more aware of your surroundings,” she said. “And realize we women have the power and certain strengths, such as strong legs and hips, to fight off attackers.”

For more information and dates, times and locations, call Senator Addabbo’s Howard Beach office at (718) 738-1111.