My Story

[sensei8]

Keep the note, and go to local law enforcement about it. You don't have much by the way of a threat in it, but you do have a case for harrassment. Depending on where/how they are touching you, you may have a case for sexual battery, as well. The one downfall is that its going to be your word against their word, and if they have a story lined up already, it could be tough on you to get something proved.

If you are under contract, try to get directly into contact with the company the contract is through. Report to them the activities that take place, and that you cannont safely remain at that location, and want to terminate the contract immediately. If they give you guff, bring up getting an attorney. That may help, it may not.

As mentioned above, don't wait, don't stay. It is not worth it.

There you go!! Bushido_man96 IS in Law Enforcement, I'd listen to what he has to say here.

Nobody should have to be subjected to that type of abuse. Learning the MA is suppose to be an enjoyable thing, and from what I've read, you're not enjoying anything from that school. LEAVE IT ASAP!!

Edited August 31, 2013 by sensei8

[sensei8]

Hi Fang -

Fortunately I'm actually a police officer in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania so I can give you and your dad some options about what to do with this particular incident.

First of all, thank goodness you left that environment and have found a new one.

Now on to the legal side of things. No one has a right to touch you when you don't want to be touched. In Pennsylvania, this is known as indecent assault and is actually a misdemeanor in Pennsylvania. Being that these boys are over the age of 10, they are liable for their actions. I think you and your father should contact the police and file a report to the best of your ability. Try to sit down beforehand and write down the times when it has happened and who did these things, names, and the like. Make mention that you reported this to your instructor and that he did not do anything about it. Keep the letter and show the police as well, because this could also be considered harassment.

Once the police get all this information from you, they will do a follow up investigation at the school. Due to the fact that you reported the incidents to your instructor and that he did not take you seriously, he may now be liable for a civil suit as well but that's not really my specialty.

I also think you should share your story any place you can review the school online to further prevent anyone else from undergoing the same mistreatment you did as well. He has no right to be an instructor if he's not going to look out for the safety and well being of his students.

Best of luck, and if you need any more info you can private message me.

There you go again...You've now have had two police officers advise you...so...adhere to their advice, or at least really consider them. Don't just leave that school, but file the charges because EVERYONE is accountable, and if the only thing you do is leave that dreaded school, they won't learn a valuable lesson.

[Rez]

Where did you transfer too? Our Dojang is in Bensalem (outside) N E Philly. GREAT place, great instructors.

Let me know If you'd like some info.

[Drew]

It seems you are happy with the resolution to your situation, and I hope you follow up with charges like Kuma and others suggested.

However, going back time and again when this stuff was going down was not wise. I realize your parents and possibly you put money into the place for testing, were under contract yadayada but you can't (or at least shouldn't) put a price on human dignity or safety.

You were putting yourself in a clearly hostile and unsafe environment. The instructor's overt dislike of you should have set off some alarms as well. Situations where the person in charge turns a blind eye towards mistreatment of a "different" student tend to get bad fast. The general hazing that you experienced can and has turned to molestation, battery, rape, and I can think of at least one instance where the outcast was murdered.

Reading back over my previous paragraph I know I may come off as a little bit extreme, but I hope you take heed anyway. Being a student of martial arts, I hope you can appreciate that the key element in self defense is avoidance. Similarly, though wanting so bad to get better at your martial art that you would endure such harassment is valiant, the better part of valor is discretion. You (and your parents for that matter) did not display discretion when choosing to return after the harassment had reached an intolerable level.

Nonetheless, I am glad that you have found a new school. You seem very dedicated and your choice of what is by far the greatest starter pokemon hints at many good decisions to come.

[mal103]

I'm humbled by the first class advice offered by all above - this is the true spirit of Martial Artists and good people.

You have done well to move on and to stick with MA, if you are not sure about complaining about the behaviour then think of others who may follow and endure the same problems.

Good luck in the rest of your journey.

[CredoTe]

I'm humbled by the first class advice offered by all above - this is the true spirit of Martial Artists and good people.

You have done well to move on and to stick with MA, if you are not sure about complaining about the behaviour then think of others who may follow and endure the same problems.

Good luck in the rest of your journey.

Agreed