Safeguarding in BJJ
Safeguarding in BJJ is notoriously wobbly. As an unregulated sport, anyone with a black belt can open a gym and teach anyone who walks through the door, including the under 18s and vulnerable. Having a black belt doesn’t have any reflection on who you are as a person, instead it means you are very good at a niche sport. We’d like to think that with a black belt comes a sense of responsibility, and for some it does but unfortunately some take advantage of their position of power. What we need are clear signs within a gym that they take the safety of you and/or your loved ones seriously.
How do you know a BJJ gym is safe?
They have a clear and visible safeguarding policy on their website.
A named safeguarding officer whose contact details are easy to find and are different from the gym’s email / phone number.
Enough coaches for the under 16s classes: one adult for every 10 kids.
Each member of the gym's team has Enhanced DBS, First Aid and Safeguard Training.
Clear boundaries around changing spaces. Adults shouldn’t be in the changing room when under 16s are changing.
Clear code of conduct available on their website.
Rules around photographing children i.e. not without parents consent.
If they are members of the UKBJJA they have the support of the UK governing body to advise them if anything did happen. This is not a compulsory membership, and if the gym isn’t a member that doesn’t mean they aren’t safeguarding effectively, but if they are a member it can help.
Retention of women, kids and vulnerable students. If these guys are sticking around, it may indicate they feel safe in this environment.
Clear communication. The gym must make an effort to have clear communication with parents and members about any issues that arise.
Having female coaches can indicate a safe environment. If they are teaching mixed classes it can show they value women at their gym.