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Post by fujicolt on Jan 16, 2012 21:35:38 GMT
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Post by malk103 on Jan 16, 2012 22:08:44 GMT
It seems that this is a bit more than a fling with a 15 1/2 year old that went wrong, being in possesion of that many illigal images and pleading guilty to several offences clearly describes what he is. I won't go on but the last thoughts I have are along the lines of XXX XX XXXXXX. That's very easy to say that having not known him or anyone involved....
As for Karate, things like this may enforce tighter controls from the organisations making it even more difficult for people like myself who want to become instructors for their love of Karate. This could result in more clubs being independant and having NO controls over who can teach or the rules - I already know of one such TKD club.
As for the image of Karate, it seems very localised in the press but could be very damaging if mainsteam liars get hold of it and twist it out of all proportions. The more sensible parents may enquire about CRB checks etc - although I suspect HC could have had a valid CRB - other parents may panic and stop their kids from training which could damage small clubs.
Hopefully my comments don't annoy anyone, this is my opinion on a place to share thoughts and opinions....
THIS POST CENSORED BY S. HYLAND MODERATOR.
Message to Malk and ALL :
Malk - I have no doubt you meant no harm and many (including me) may agree with your initial comment but can we please tone things down just a little. May I suggest - 'he gets his just rewards!' - people wil understand what you mean.
An awful lot of people whom trusted HC and invested in that trust (I being one of them) are still coming to terms with this awful situation. So can everyone please speak your mind BUT do so with a little tact.
Malk I hope you understand but you have every rite to appeal my decision to censor your Post - or if you would like to discuss it PM me please.
OSU!
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Post by kensei on Jan 17, 2012 16:41:39 GMT
The whole thing with Harry should be viewed as a horror show that we hope goes away, and he gets what is coming to him.
The martial arts and ALL other sports are filled with these kinds of people, as is society in general. We hope that through our training we find like minded people that are NOT like him and we get to meet great people like are here on the OSS.
However, it should also be seen as a lesson for us to realize that we are all social WEB friends and dont really know who we are talking to. as well as a lesson in not having "Karate heros" that may prove to be far more human than we care to admit.
I have read just as many "Bad press" stories about Karate people as I have when I used to be in Gymnastics and wrestling. I had a coach in wrestling that years after I graduated was arrested for sleeping with a young girl who tried out for the team...I also had gymnastic coaches that would volunteer to help with the girls team because they could get away with fondling them a bit to much.
Nothing like finding out people are flawed and their flaws are HORRIBLE! But we need to keep in mind that the issue is not something that should make Karate in general look bad nor should be all throw the baby out with the bath water...Karate does not make you a bad person...beging a bad person makes you a bad person...If he had been into Foot ball (Euro) would we say its foot ball and all foot ballers are horrible people?
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Post by fujicolt on Jan 17, 2012 16:45:45 GMT
Wise words James!
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Post by kensei on Jan 17, 2012 17:04:31 GMT
Wise words James! It happens!
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Post by malk103 on Jan 17, 2012 21:26:08 GMT
No problems Steve - it was close to the line so I accept its removal. Sometimes brain engages with keyboard and the thoughts go direct....
It's true to say that 1 bad apple doesn't mean all in the cart are bad, it's only when the mainstream press find 2 or 3 that they may make something national out of it which could directly affect us all.
I also know someone who had their childhood stolen from them and the scars are still there some 30 odd years later, she threw away her schooling and took many years of councilling to get her head straight, this is the side of the story that the papers won't tell.
Hopefully enough good people exist within Karate to make this apple a very small percentage.
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Post by kensei on Jan 17, 2012 21:31:42 GMT
Hopefully enough good people exist within Karate to make this apple a very small percentage. Amen to that!
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Post by jimlukelkc on Jan 18, 2012 19:40:00 GMT
Because this chap was based in Durham which is very close to me, the latest development in this sad saga was reported on the local news. One of the parents asked me if I knew him and I had to admit, I did, or thought I did. She went on to comment that it casts a shadow over martial arts instructors in general and I had to take issue with this! I told her it casts a shadow over society but karate instructors are on the whole gentlemen who work hard to nurture and assist young talent. We have no apologies to make.
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Post by deckerdude304 on Jan 22, 2012 0:21:04 GMT
A 7th Dan ''Master'' of two forms of Karate eh!?! I for one would dearly love to see him block a mug of scalding hot sugared water thrown at his face, thats a frequent punishment for 'people like him'! (although i use the word 'people' in the lightest possible regard) Disgaceful, it really is. @jimluckelkc--you are so right, you and others who selflessly give up their free time to train us beginners, the more mature AND the young, have nothing to apologise for. I have nothing but praise for Sensei's and trainers, you do an excellent job and long may it continue.
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Post by deckerdude304 on Jan 22, 2012 14:37:24 GMT
I just found out. Its not only Harry Cook! btyahoonews.com has a story about Liam o'grady, 'international Karate Champion' and trusted Martial Arts Teacher, who was sent to prison for grooming and sexually abusing a 13 year old girl. He got five years. Not enough imho!
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Post by andyupton on Jan 22, 2012 19:48:14 GMT
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Post by malk103 on Jan 22, 2012 20:31:58 GMT
"told the girl their relationship was ‘only illegal if the law knew’" What a total XXXX (enter 4 letter word here) Anyone else want to confess and bring Karate into an even darker light.... Next lesson we will turn up to find no kids are allowed in the Dojo for their own protection!
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Post by Paul Bedard on Jan 23, 2012 3:45:07 GMT
I find this type of news so sad. This type of behaviour from anyone is so very wrong. But when it comes from people in leadership positions of what should be a program of positive development, it tends to make me cringe. This is total betrayal, mostly to those that have become direct victims, but their own families & the victims families are very close to direct & even right down to the indirect victims, every one of us that puts on a gi. There are those who have high positions in high profile activities who just betray trust. Kind of makes you want to go back in time & take care of them, before any damage is done!!! Paul B
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Post by fujicolt on Jan 23, 2012 3:45:46 GMT
Harry Cook plead Guilty to his offences but Liam O'Grady Plead not guilty to it all. Trust me on this having worked in child care for 20+ years - there are a lot of false accusations and hence we have charities such as F.A.C.T. (Falsely Accused Carers and Teachers) but Liam was just in denial that what he had done was an offence and he actually texted: ' It is only illegal if the law don't find out... ...or your Mum' to the young girl.
IN the final summing up the JUdge stated that Liam had been 'arrogant' and had put the children and thier families through the trauma of a trial due to his denial of wrong doing.
PLease everyone - make sure your club has very clear and transparent Child Protection Policies and Procedures that are actively and evidently being adhered to and regularly up dated. Get Parents involved with things like accompanying a child if they have to leave the Dojo etc. Never be slow to consult a lawyer if there is anything you are unsure of.
PLEASE REMEBER - if posting here be civil and thoughtful of what you write as many have been devastated by these cases and we do not wish to add to their situation unless we do so positively or supportive!
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Post by kensei on Jan 23, 2012 3:51:08 GMT
Lets put this in perspective shall we, in place of making all panic and think that we are all horrible.
To put it in perspective, we know of a hand full of bad apples in a a specific place, they rape and molest and they are put in a possition of trust. They lul parents into a sense of saftey and they say they will bring their kids knowledge and they dont, they abuse them and their possition.
The problem is I could be talking about the few Karate instructors that we know about.....or a Preist...or a school teacher...or a gymnastic coach...a dance instructor or just about any other one of dozens of jobs that their are out their. Harry and the others could have just as easily been school teachers, Preists, cops or doctors.
In winnipeg we had a MD excused from work and charged after moslesting young girls at the hospital, a famous hockey coach was put in jail for doing what harry did..with boys.
The problem is, we keep talking about him. let it die, if we give it life by talking about it then we give power! let it die!
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Post by kensei on Jan 23, 2012 3:52:41 GMT
And before someone says "parents need to be told" or " we have to protect our children"...shouldent we have done this before this happened...in any way and with any of these proffesions?
The best way to keep your kids safe is to be with them in class, stay with them and really be smart, even if you trust your kids Karate instructor its your job to keep them safe no matter what...even from people you feel are safe!
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Post by fujicolt on Jan 23, 2012 4:06:05 GMT
hence the reason i suggest total transparency and get the parents of your child students involved - a rota of parents to do Child Protection duty works well - it means the parents are empowered and involved and they only have to commit to this duty every so often.
with HC's and LO's convictions this is going to be a difficult time for MA's But it is also an opportunity for us to show we are a responsible and safe environment for children with a universal commitment to good CP procedures and a transparant approach.
Having had to deal with such matters professionally if anyone wants any advice or help with developing appropriate cp pOLICIES AND pROCEDURES PLEASE CONTACT ME AND I will gladly help. They often have to be customised to your situation but there are v.good templates to work from.
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Post by malk103 on Jan 23, 2012 10:12:26 GMT
Hopefully someone like Clarkson doesn't make a joke like he did for the Lorry drivers - change gear, kill a prostitute, change gear etc
I'm annoyed about this - not only for those concerned - but I am just starting out with instructing so this is making life difficult, even more so if nobody turns up due to the actions of others or their perception of Karate.
So far our club has just used the Policy from above but I can see a case for customising it, I can also see the good point about getting some of the parents to stay or actively encouraging them to stop and watch. I've got a couple of Polices to work with from the AMA and EKF, but it would be good to see more.
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