Sex crimes, like rape, are up by as much as 80% in The Bronx this week-to-date, compared to 2024, according to NYPD data.

Incidents like the rape of a 15-year-old girl in Co-op City has some residents turning to martial arts as self-defense.

Martial arts, like Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ), are often recommended for self-defense because it focuses on grappling, ground fighting, leverage and how to escape an attacker even if they are bigger than you.

Bronx Martial Arts Academy in Allerton teaches classes for all ages in Muay Thai, karate and BJJ under the leadership of Doug Pelinkovic, a third-degree black belt, a three-time USA national team member, and four-time national champion.

The team also operates a facility in Queens.

“You're not trying to engage the attacker because we don't know if they have anything else on them,” Pelinkovic said during a demonstration to News 12 after a class on Tuesday. “No matter what you do, you create some space, and you run. You get away from the bad situation.”

BJJ also teaches quick, simple moves that don’t escalate a situation but allow you to get away to safety.

“Size doesn't matter, it just matters that you have the heart to execute and do it," says Pelinkovic.