Aikido, a Japanese martial art famous worldwide for its graceful, circular movements, has been at the heart of a great controversy in Britain over the past few years. The controversy began when allegations of sexual abuse by senior instructors from the British Aikido Federation (BAF) came to light.
Aikido, like other martial arts, has a strict hierarchy, with the senior instructors at the top. These instructors, referred to as shihan, have a lot of power within the dojo and over their students. It was alleged that some of these shihan were using this power to take advantage of their students, particularly female students.
The controversy came to a head in 2019, when three senior members of the BAF were expelled from the organization due to allegations of sexual abuse. The allegations were made by several female students, who claimed that the instructors had abused their position of power to coerce them into sexual relationships.
The BAF responded to these allegations by conducting a thorough investigation, which led to the expulsion of the three shihan. However, the controversy did not end there.
Many members of the aikido community in Britain felt that the BAF had not done enough to protect its members and prevent such abuse from occurring in the first place. There were also concerns about the way the investigation was conducted and the lack of transparency throughout the process.
In response to these concerns, several prominent aikido organizations in the UK, including the British Aikido Association (BAA) and the United Kingdom Aikikai (UKA), publicly stated their intention to break away from the BAF. They claimed that the BAF had failed in their duty of care towards their members and that a new organization needed to be formed that was committed to safeguarding the welfare of its members.
This move sparked a bitter dispute within the aikido community in Britain, with some members accusing the breakaway organizations of being politically motivated and trying to seize power within the aikido community. Others argued that the BAF had lost its legitimacy and that a new organization was necessary to restore trust and confidence in the aikido community.
Since the controversy began, there have been calls for the UK government to intervene and regulate the aikido industry. Advocates of regulation argue that it would be a way to ensure that all aikido organizations in the UK adhere to a strict code of conduct and that there is transparency and accountability in the way they operate.
However, opponents of regulation argue that aikido is a traditional martial art and that the Japanese system of hierarchy and respect should be maintained. They feel that regulation would infringe on their freedom to practice aikido in the way that they believe is best.
Despite the controversy, aikido remains popular in the UK and around the world. It is known for its emphasis on non-violence and its use of circular movements to redirect an opponent's energy. Many people practice aikido as a form of exercise, self-defense, or spiritual development.
The controversy surrounding the BAF has highlighted the need for all martial arts organizations to be vigilant in ensuring the safety and wellbeing of their members. It has also raised questions about the power dynamics within traditional martial arts and the need for greater transparency and accountability.
As a result of the controversy, many aikido organizations in the UK have implemented new safeguarding policies and codes of conduct to prevent abuse from occurring. There is also a greater awareness of the issue of sexual abuse within the aikido community, and many instructors are now receiving training on how to recognize and prevent abusive behavior.
It remains to be seen how the aikido community in Britain will move forward from this controversy. But one thing is clear: the issue of sexual abuse within martial arts must be taken seriously, and there must be a concerted effort to ensure the safety and wellbeing of all those who practice aikido and other martial arts.