The rape of a minor child in a martial arts school is an extremely serious crime, in this case, a rape of an 11 year old girl that took place in a Ohio martial arts dojo in October of 2003. Upon hearing about the individual who raped a little girl in that state back in 2020, I didn't believe that the rape in 2003 was an isolated incident. Most child rapists have raped multiple times before getting caught.
The rapist was originally charged with two rapes, one in October 2003 and a later one the following month in November where he was caught in the act and arrested. A deal was made to protect the 11 year old girl from having to testifying in court.
When such an act is covered up, by
individuals, school staff, or affiliated organizations, or are complacent it
not only compounds the trauma inflicted on the victim but it also enables future
harm to others and constitutes a criminal act in itself.
The martial arts community must hold itself accountable.
Silence, hero-worship of instructors, or fear of damaging the school's
reputation cannot come before a child's safety. Ethical oversight bodies, if
they exist, should permanently ban any instructor found guilty or complicit in regards
to such a crime.
By 2003, Ohio law classified sexual contact with a minor as a felony—illegal regardless of consent. Schools and instructors were mandated reporters; failing to notify authorities could result in criminal charges. A single incident of child sexual abuse is horrific; most child predators have multiple victims or have victimized the same victim multiple times, this combined with complicity or some type of a cover-up makes it a systemic failure in the martial arts community.
Martial arts instructors hold a position of trust and
authority, especially with children. A cover-up destroys the integrity of the
martial arts community and allows predators to continue harming others. Instructors
who cover up abuse are no different, ETHICALLY, from the child predator in this
particular Ohio case, a child rapist.
The victims deserve justice, not silence. In this case, I'm gonna see to it justice is served to everyone I'm going to see to it justice is served cold.
