An alarming rise in violence against transgender people prompted New York City Public Advocate Jumaane Williams and other advocates to address the issue Wednesday.

Across the country, at least 33 trans people have died as a result of violence this year. Advocates say this is the most fatal year so far.

"This is a problem here in New York, it's a New York crisis. This year New York accounts for nearly 10% of the homicides nationally and the homicide rates do not tell the whole story. For each homicide, there are countless incidents of anti-trans violence committed in our city and state,” said Beverly Tillery from the Anti-Violence Project.

Williams says it has been an issue overlooked for too long and that it is time that the government stepped in.

"It's an epidemic of violence and demands a crisis response,” said Williams.

Williams plans to introduce legislation Thursday before the City Council that centers around trans health care.

The first part requires the city to report on training for medical care for transgender and gender non-conforming persons, including the scope of training and number of personnel trained.

The second would require the Department of Health to distribute signage on transgender rights to every hospital citywide.

“I've heard stories of people afraid to get medical assistance, afraid to get the medical care they need because of the response that may occur when they try to get those services,” said Williams.

Advocates who have been pushing for change say it’s about time, but that there’s still more work that needs to be done.

Williams plans to keep the discussion going with events for the next month leading up to Trans Day of Remembrance on Nov. 20.