JASmama

I spoke with the owner tonight. Surprisingly enough, not one parent contacted him about what happened. When I talked to the owner he was almost speechless. That alone makes me feel better. Part of my frustration with the whole thing is feeling like I am the only one upset about what happened. I don't want to press charges or anything like that, but I do want to report it to a governing martial art body.

My son's father was there and witnessed the whole thing, so I don't feel there is another side to the story that I need to hear. I have not yet been able to speak with the owner, but worst case scenario I will be at the class on Monday to speak with the instructor and/or owner myself. I am baffled that none of the other parents did/said anything. That bothers me almost as much as the incident itself. I do not personally have much martial arts experience, but I feel I need to let who ever issued this instructor his black belt what happened. This goes against all of the good I associate with martial arts. I don't want this to happen to other kids. How do I find out who to report this to?

My son (9 years old, 3 years in TKD) was recently physically punished in class. My son and other students (in full gear) were goofing off and messing around in class, sparring/kicking one another. My son kicked his friend in the stomach, making the other boy cry. I fully acknowledge that my son was wrong and that the instructor needed to address his actions - but... The instructor (a black belt) called my son to the front of the class, told him to stand with his arms in the air and then kicked him in the stomach. My son dropped to the ground and was gasping for air after getting the wind kicked out of him. The instructor then yelled at my son and told him to stand up. I wasn't there - but this was the story I got from both my son and another adult. I am bothered not only by an adult, black belt physically assaulting my child, but by the humiliation he also inflicted. Do I report this? I really think if this behavior happened to my child I am obligated to do something to protect other children from this 'master'. What do I do next? My son was not only physically hurt, but he was also humiliated as well. He loved TKD and was quite good, but now refuses to go back, even to another instructor.