Aikido West Child Protection and Abuse Response Policy
Introduction
The presence of minors in our Aikido community presents important responsibilities. Some of these are legal, some of them are practical, some of them are moral. A “Child Protection Policy” is an agreed upon set of procedures and practices employed to make a business safe for all children they work with. These are required by insurance providers. They are also an important element of establishing professionalism amongst the instructor staff.We all have a duty to interact with minors in a responsible way at all times. This is primarily for the protection of the minors, but it is also for the legal protection of the dojo. Even the possibility of a perception of impropriety is a problem.Hopefully, most of what is listed in this document is common sense. Our approach to managing these responsibilities includes the following:
- Maintaining professionalism of the instructor staff
- Maintaining physical safety
- Avoiding perception of impropriety
- Obtaining parental consent
- Detecting and reporting abuse
This policy will be implemented by a child protection team of at least two individuals, appointed by the board of directors. It will be reviewed and updated at a minimum of
every 3 years, and each member of the instructor staff will need to sign off on its contents.
Maintaining professionalism of the instructor staff
- Instructors must refresh their first aid and CPR training at least every two years. The dojo will pay the costs for this training.
- Instructors must consent to a standard FBI background check. The purpose of this is not to exclude or penalize instructors for minor past infractions. It is specifically meant to verify the absence of any violent or child abuse crimes or presence in sex offender registries. Costs for this background check will be paid by the dojo and results will be handled with extreme discretion.
- Individuals must have regular involvement in the dojo for at least a year before they are permitted to become a teacher or leader of children or youth.
- Instructors must review and sign a copy of this Child Protection Policy at least once every three years.
Maintaining physical safety
- Physical contact is an inherent part of martial arts practice. However, no inappropriately intimate or sexual contact of any kind is acceptable. Any inappropriate physical touching may result in expulsion from the dojo and referral to law enforcement.
- No physical discipline (e.g., hitting, slapping, inappropriate forceful grabbing or pulling) will be used.
- Teasing, hazing, verbal abuse, or any form of bullying will not be tolerated, either from other students or instructors.
- There will be no inappropriate wrestling or roughhousing.
- Children’s bones and joints are not fully developed and can easily be strained or damaged. Joint lock techniques should be avoided. In the case of children/minors having to train and perform for an examination involving joint techniques, the parent will be notified and every precaution will be taken to ensure the child’s safety.
- Only one child or youth may use the bathroom at a time.
- Minors may never be left unattended at the dojo.
- A well stocked first aid kit will be kept in the dojo at all times.
- An emergency contact list is kept in the office.
Avoiding perception of impropriety
- Try to never be alone in the dojo with a minor. Follow the “two adult rule”.
- We will always attempt to schedule a second adult to help with kids classes. If the helper does not show up, ask a parent to stay.
- In rare cases, you may find yourself alone with a child, waiting for a parent who is late picking them up. In this case, do not leave the child unattended. However, there should be NO PHYSICAL CONTACT during this time. Do not work with them on technique, give them private training, or touch them in any way. Do not discuss anything which could be misinterpreted as overly personal or intimate.
- Never have a minor student to your home or outside the dojo property without their parent being present as well.
- Never be in a changing room alone with a minor. When helping with the kids classes, you should show up early to change before they arrive, or else change in the privacy of the shower or bathroom.
- Never engage in private electronic communications with a minor. Any texts, emails, etc must include their parent as a participant.
Obtaining parental consent
- Prior consent will be obtained from a parent or guardian if a child is to be transported away from dojo facilities.
- Our waiver includes consent for minors to be photographed. However, it never hurts to warn parents beforehand if there will be photography during class so that they may opt out.
- Never share photos of minors on personal social media platforms. In theory this is OK with explicit permission from a parent or guardian, but it is best to avoid completely.
Detecting and reporting abuse
- Members of the dojo are not legally required to be “mandated reporters” in the same sense as a doctor or school teacher. However, if you suspect abuse (by parents at home, peers at school, or members of the dojo), discuss your concerns with a member of the child protection team ASAP. Together you can determine if approaching a parent or protective agency is appropriate.
- When bringing concerns to the child protection team, proof is not required.
- In cases of suspected abuse, we will keep the alleged victim’s needs at the center of any process.
- If the alleged offender is a member of the dojo community, they will be suspended from the dojo until an investigation is complete.
- If the allegation is deemed legitimate, the alleged offender may be referred to law enforcement or government agency.
- If professionals are brought in to do an investigation, full cooperation will be given by all parties.
For legal context, according to California law:
1. Physical abuse exists when a child has a non-accidental injury.
2. Emotional abuse is injury to the psychological capacity or emotional stability of the child.
3. Sexual abuse exists when an adult uses a child as a part of any type of sexual act.
4. Emotional neglect is when the child suffers from an adult failing to give chances for feeling loved, wanted, secure, and worthy.
5. Physical neglect is when an adult does not provide basic needs or supervision.
This Child Protection Policy has been reviewed and accepted by