Why is it hard to promote Sexual Assault Awareness month in the Martial art community?

There are many martial arts groups that support woman's health organisations, however each is there own entity with it's own goal.

Then there is the human nature of ignoring things we find untoward, sexual assault has been part of that mindset for a LONG time, martial artists are human after all.

We give out pamphlets at our female self defence courses at our school, but we are in the business of giving them the tools to defend themselves, not to inform them of statistics and the inevitability that some of them will face sexual assault, that is counter productive to building their confidence.

Look, I don't think it is something that we should ignore at all, but it is simply one of those subjects that some are not willing to discuss.

"Why is it hard to promote Sexual Assault Awareness month in the Martial art community?"

Because there are already enough "Awareness" campaigns out there that target issues like sexual assault and breast cancer!

Fact is that men still outnumber women in the Marital Arts community...so why not a campaign for something that afflicts men, but receives less public AND government support...like prostate cancer research?

Why do awareness campaigns ONLY receive support from people like you when they promote issues that are primarily associated with women? When's the last time you supported an awareness campaign that primarily supported an issue that men are more likely to experience?

I recall a gay man who experienced a great deal of homophobia, including being turned away from most BJJ, judo and wrestling clubs he wanted to join because of his sexual orientation...how about an awareness campaign for the LGBT community...focused primarily on gay men as they are the ones most unlikely to be welcomed in a Martial Arts club?

Can you see where I'm going with this? The minute you start promoting one "awareness" campaign...the question becomes why aren't you supporting all those others...which actually probably could use the support even more than yours?

This is a taboo subject.

I did a high school paper on sex abuse in the clergy. My teacher and principal told me to write about something else.

I held a sexual abuse awareness project for my Boy Scout Eagle project. No one - except scout parents - showed up.

Good luck trying to talk to older asian instructors about the concept.

Why does society acknowledge a scourge on humanity - but only when an incident occurs post-facto? Until then, no one wants to talk about it.

Next, the site is promoting awareness sexual abuse of children (not sure why... adults can be victims, too). The problem of getting instructors "on-board" have several ramifications:

1) again, no one wants to talk about it. How will the average instructor promote this awareness - with happy children running around in their dojangs? How do you think parents will feel when their instructor is hanging up sex abuse awareness posters? Maybe a more discreet manner to promote it. But in the end... most will look the other way and pretend it doesn't happen until it happens to them.

2) Instructors are already mandatory reporters in most states. That is, they are obligated to report to child/family services, or the police, if they suspect abuse. Good instructors are already trained to identify abuse, and incompetent instructors have no clue about the law. Of these, you'd be preaching the choir for one group, and preaching to the agnostics in the other group. What do expect to accomplish by approaching either group?

The best way to approach topics like this is to break down barriers of a social taboo. Unfortunate, no matter how well-intentioned you may be, the way to do it is not here, methinks.

It's unfortunate, but with many family (children) oriented schools, many people don't want the word "Sexual" plastered across their front door. Others may feel that it's just not worth their time to contribute to their communities.

As sexual assault is closely tied with self-defense, it would make sense. Though I think many school owners would likely be wary of projecting an image regarding sexual assault, as martial arts is often associated with violence.

Because it's not a hot topic plus no one really cares since it is not an excuse to wear pink and have the word boobs on a shirt or wristband. I dont see what "awareness" does anyways it's already known it exist and it just might put more people in fear. And besides when I was 16 I was "sexually assaulted" by my girlfriends older sister. Best thing ever!

What does it have to do with Martial Arts?

Take it to the Religion Section. Have you heard what those Catholic Priests are doing?

Too much wax on and wax off going on

Because it's just a marketing gimmick.