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March 14, 2005

Karate school accusations highlight need to watch for signs of sex abuse

UTICA, NY. -- News that a local karate instructor was accused of molesting two young girls has brought to light a problem that -- except for dramatic cases highlighted in the national media -- often is unrecognized.

National statistics reveal that one in five girls and one in 10 boys will be sexually exploited before they reach adulthood. Yet less than 35 percent of these sexual assaults are reported to law enforcement officials, according to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children Web site, www.ncmec.org.

Kevin Revere, law enforcement coordinator for the Oneida County Child Advocacy Center, said the stereotype that a stranger is the biggest threat to a child is not true. In reality, "most sexual abuse is done by someone in the child's life: A relative, a friend of the family," he said. "Sexual abuse by a stranger is rare."

In Oneida County alone, some 500 cases of child sexual abuse are investigated each year, leading to about 100 arrests, Revere said.

The center on York Street provides resources for repairing the damage of child sexual abuse, including investigation and prosecution of the perpetrators, medical exams -- when warranted -- victim advocacy and support and counseling for victims.

Two students said they were abused by martial arts instructor Peter Rezey Jr., 30, of Hamilton. Rezey is the owner of Rezey's Modern American Kenpo Karate on Chenango Avenue. He taught 70 to 80 students, some of whom are adults.

Rezey was charged March 3 with felony first-degree sexual abuse for allegedly having sexual contact with a girl younger than 11. A few days later, an 8-year-old girl said she was abused by Rezey at the karate school.

When the second child came forward, officials at the advocacy center feared they would learn of more victims. But as of late last week, no more children had come forward, Revere said.

Rezey was released on $15,000 bail, and the case will be turned over to the District Attorney's Office for grand jury action. The karate school has been closed since the arrest.

Children who are molested live through "unspeakable horror," Revere said. "But the fact that light is shined on their darkness begins the process of healing," he said.

"You used to hear all the time that the kid's life is ruined, but it's not true anymore. The therapy really starts with the disclosure. They expressed something that was a secret; it's cathartic to get it out of their system," Revere said.

"They're offered the opportunity to get therapy and to try to overcome those obstacles. They can go on to lead a normal, productive life and have normal adult relationships."

Within the tight-knit karate community, some parents still are dogged by feelings of worry, anger and loss.

"It's tough to explain to a five- or six-year-old why something they loved is over," Revere said.

Bambi Rowland's son was 5 years old when he began karate lessons with Rezey and, in fact, was one of Rezey's first students when the studio opened about two years ago. The boy loved karate, Rowland said, and took classes five nights a week.

Six months ago, Rowland withdrew her son from the school, for reason's unrelated to the alleged abuse. Like other parents, Rowland liked and trusted her son's instructor.

"Peter seemed like a pleasant person, and he was very good at the discipline of martial arts," she said. "My son wanted to go to class every day."

"Most parents were happy with this instructor and how he treated the kids," said Daniel LaBella, an investigator with the Child Advocacy Center.

Experts said parents need to delicately talk with their children to see if they were abused.

"I would suggest parents ask their children what they liked and what they didn't like about karate," Revere said, "and talk to the child about other people in his or her life: teachers, baby sitters. Talk about who they like and don't like, and why."

Many children who are abused don't admit the abuse because they're afraid they'll get in trouble, LaBella said.

If the abuse is occurring within the family and has been going on for a long time, "they may never disclose," LaBella said. "But we let them know it's OK to tell."

He said perpetrators often threaten children to keep them quiet, shame them into believing they are responsible for the abuse and even bribe them.

"We had one case where the suspect bought the kid an ATV," LaBella said. "You have to talk to your child. I can't stress that enough."

Sometimes, children are dealing with abuse by a parent.

"They may have been threatened that Mom or Dad will be taken away or they'll be put in foster care. And the child still loves the person," Revere said. "They're very torn. They know if they say something, life will be turned upside down."

Sexual predators display no obvious characteristics that allow parents to identify who is a danger, Revere said.

"You can't know who is trustworthy," he said. "Don't be paranoid, but you have to be cautious. If something sounds unusual or something doesn't sit right with you, it could very well be that something isn't right. There should be no opportunity for a person of authority to be alone with your child. And if someone maneuvers to have unchaperoned contact with children, it should be a warning sign."

Posted by Nealus at March 14, 2005 09:11 PM

Comments

What you understand about this case is wrong. This situation will affect the entire country however, no one is aware of it...yet. The case brings to question what the appropriate contact is for young adults in sports.

Anyone who has watched a high school wrestling match or WWF knows that ground fighting is a close contact sport. Title IX guarantees a young woman's right to participate in high school wrestling. A young man will not face charges for touching her bottom end while wrestling. Therefore, physical contact between young people is acceptable during sports. What about between coach and athlete? Is contact acceptable between a trainer and a student for instruction purposes?

Peter Rezey, Martial Arts Instructor, was charged with gratuitous sexual fondling of a student. The alleged abuse occurred during ground fighting self defense lessons in front of the young person's mother and other parents, whom do not substantiate the claims. (In fact the school rule is that Peter is never alone with students to prevent improper allegations.) Thousands of martial arts schools and school wrestling teams across the country will be affected by Peter Rezey being successfully charged with molestation because he was trying to teach.

Perhaps an age limit should be established. The physicality of learning self defense is mentally and emotionally strenuous. Sexually developing young people may not know how to interpret that kind of contact. On the other hand, knowing that 4 out of 5 women will be raped leads me to believe that ground self defense should be taught in high schools.

Society may decide that ground fighting, even during instruction, is not appropriate for young people of either sex. Should a man face two years in jail, spend 10 years as a registered sex offender, lose his right to vote, be prevented from living in certain areas and will not be eligible for certain jobs for trying to teach self defense? Surely losing his business, reputation and his dream are punishment enough for his lack of prudence in believing that girls can do everything that boys can do,

A week ago Peter was forced to plead guilty to this crime that he did not commit. Why? Because police scare tactics work better on regular citizens than they do on criminals, he can't afford an attorney but made too much money last year to qualify for a public defender, his mother is recovering from breast cancer and he chose not to put her through a trial and because he is utterly crushed at the allegations. Also because he strongly believes that he had already been convicted and has no hope of receiving a fair trial.

I light of the nation’s sensitivity the police and D.A. are pressured to make headlines with a win against child sexual abuse. They are letting a lack of objectivity ruin a good man. I fear that society will run amuck and follow suit. How many victims will this witch hunt tally? Irregardless, I will continue to encourage Peter to teach my children...after he is released from prison.

Posted by: Diane Burchette at June 28, 2005 10:56 PM

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