Cayuga Lake Seido Karate
Our Commitment to Safety
At Cayuga Lake Seido Karate, we espouse the values of respect, love, and obedience as being at the core of our training. We strongly believe that karate is more than just learning to kick and punch. Rather, it is about the growth and support of every student in totality: the body, the mind, and the spirit. In light of recent events across our country and around the world, and in accordance with newly-enacted New York State and Federal laws, we feel it necessary to re-emphasize our commitment to the growth, safety, and development of our students, families, employees, and community.
The topics of sexual harassment, child abuse, and other types of violence are not easy to discuss. Unfortunately, many times the victims of these practices are silenced due to fear of retaliation, feelings of isolation, or simply not knowing where to turn. It is our hope that by clearly stating our policies and procedures that all who are a part of our dojo community will feel safe and respected and will know exactly what to do should a difficult situation arise.
Harassment
Cayuga Lake Seido Karate is committed to maintaining a safe, welcoming working and training environment that is free from any type of discrimination or harassment. We hold ourselves to the highest standards of ethical behavior, ensuring our own community members, students, staff, and volunteers feel physically, mentally, and emotionally safe when participating in our programs and events.
In keeping with this commitment, CLSK strictly prohibits discrimination or harassment of any kind, including discrimination or harassment on the basis of race, color, religion, citizenship, political activity or affiliation, marital status, age, national origin, ancestry, physical or mental disability, medical condition (as defined under New York State law), veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, sex or gender (which includes harassment based on pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, or related medical conditions), or any other characteristics protected under federal, state, or local laws.
We encourage anyone who is a victim of harassment, or is witness to harassment, to report the offending behavior as soon as possible, either verbally or in writing, to any CLSK staff member. All complaints or information about suspected harassment will be investigated, whether that information was reported in verbal or written form.
An investigation of any complaint, information or knowledge of suspected harassment will be prompt and thorough and will be completed within 30 days. The investigation will be confidential to the extent possible. All persons involved, including complainants, witnesses and alleged perpetrators will be accorded due process to protect their rights to a fair and impartial investigation. At the conclusion of the investigation, the individual who complained and the individual(s) who responded will be promptly notified of the final determination, and we will implement any corrective actions identified in the written document.
Child Safety
The safety and well-being of our young students is paramount. There is no place for abuse or neglect of any kind in any child’s life. We are committed to making our dojo and community a place where children can learn, grow, gain confidence, and participate while knowing they are safe.
Child abuse can take many forms: physical abuse, sexual abuse, emotional neglect, or even educational neglect. We find out about physical abuse when children tell us that they have been abused, or through other indicators of abuse. Indicators of physical or sexual abuse may be behavioral or physical or both, and can include:
- Bruises or welts
- Fractures
- Burns or scalds
- Multiple injuries
- A history of repeated injuries
- The child is unusually wary of physical contact with adults
- The child is frightened of a particular adult
- Has nightmares or other sleep problems without an explanation
- Seems distracted or distant at odd times
- Has a sudden change in eating habits
- Refuses to talk about a secret shared with an adult or older child
Perpetrators of child sexual abuse may gain the trust of potential child victims and their caregivers by methodically “grooming” them. This process begins with identifying potential victims, gaining their trust, and breaking down their defenses. Grooming helps the offender gain access to the victim and sets up a relationship grounded in secrecy so that the crime is less likely to be discovered. Perpetrators rely on the secrecy of the relationship to keep it going, and to ensure that the child will not reveal the abuse. Children are often afraid of disclosing the abuse. They may have been told that they will not be believed, or that something about the child “makes” the abuser do this to them. The child may also feel shame, or fear that they will be blamed. Often, the perpetrator threatens the child to ensure they won’t disclose the abuse.
Any one sign doesn't necessarily mean that a child was abused, but the presence of several suggests that you should begin asking questions and consider seeking help. Disclosures of physical or sexual abuse by children of any age must always be taken seriously.
As professionals in our field, our staff members have been trained in the identification and reporting of child abuse, as well as in safe and appropriate teaching methods. All of our instructors are also vetted through completed background checks.
As adults in our dojo community, we are all responsible for ensuring the safety of our young students. If you suspect abuse, report it immediately to the New York Statewide Central Register of Child Abuse and Maltreatment, commonly known as the Child Abuse Hotline, at 1-800-342-3720. Calls to the hotline are anonymous; callers' identities are protected from disclosure.
Together, we will continue to make Cayuga Lake Seido Karate a safe, giving, enriching place to learn and grow.
These policies and statements will be reviewed periodically and updated as necessary.
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