Samurai Karate Studio Raises Awareness About Child Sexual Abuse

Columbia, SC, March 31, 2014 --(PR.com)-- Sensei Chris Feldt, owner and chief instructor for Samurai Karate Studio located in Richland Northeast Columbia, South Carolina, announced today that his school will be participating in the National Child Sexual Abuse Awareness Month by including it in his school talks as well as posting information about it through social media channels.

"April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month," commented Sensei Feldt. "This month and throughout the year, Samurai Karate Studio encourages all individuals and organizations to play a role in making Columbia a better place for children and families. By ensuring that parents have the knowledge, skills, and resources they need to care for their children, we can help promote children’s social and emotional well-being and prevent child maltreatment within families and communities."

As many as 1 in 3 girls and 1 in 7 boys will be sexually abused at some point in their childhood. Briere, J., Eliot, D.M. Prevalence and Psychological Sequence of Self-Reported Childhood Physical and Sexual Abuse in General Population: Child Abuse and Neglecti, 2003, 27 10.

Many victims of sexual abuse tend to suffer for the rest of their lives, struggling with the trauma, shame, embarrassment and fear.

Research also shows that when parents possess six protective factors, the risk for neglect and abuse diminish and optimal outcomes for children, youth, and families are promoted. The six protective factors are:

• Nurturing and attachment
• Knowledge of parenting and of child and youth development
• Parental resilience
• Social connections
• Concrete supports for parents
• Social and emotional developmental well-being

Darkness To Light, www.d2l.org

“April is a time to celebrate the important role that communities play in protecting children,” said Sensei Feldt. “Everyone’s participation is critical. Focusing on ways to build and promote the protective factors, in every interaction with children and families, is the best thing our community can do to prevent child maltreatment and promote optimal child development. As a father of 3 boys and someone who works with children, this is an important cause for me, and I would encourage all my fellow martial art's school owners to raise awareness in their communities and spread the word that we must help protect our children!"

Samurai Karate Studio teaches a traditional style of karate to both children and adults, beginning at age 4. It's curriculum includes character and leadership development as well as community service.