Purple belts and a free public karate session are set to start important conversations about domestic violence. Photo: GKR Karate.
A free community self-defence class at a Wollongong karate dojo hopes to raise awareness and funds for people experiencing domestic and family violence while teaching lifesaving skills and starting vital conversations.
For many, martial arts can be an outlet for fitness, skills and a positive mindset, but GKR Karate’s Mark Lancaster has seen a deeper purpose for some starting the sport.
“It’s often one of the major reasons people start karate or any sort of martial arts, is actually self-defence,” Mark said.
“We’ve had adults that have lived through or experienced issues of domestic violence or sometimes it’s because children are getting bullied at school.
“Unfortunately, in our role as karate instructors we see it a lot. It’s quite common that people are starting martial arts to get some practical skills on being able to protect themselves better.”
While the aim is to not regularly need to put the techniques into practice in everyday settings, Mark said they are still vital life skills that are important to learn.
“We don’t hesitate putting kids in to teach them to swim, and it’s not all because we all want them to go to the Olympics; if you fall in the water you want to be able to survive.
“It’s a bit like self-defence; you won’t necessarily use these skills all the time but it still might save your life.”
Throughout October the Wollongong training centre is one of many across the country shining a spotlight on domestic and family violence through the Purple Belt campaign.
“Everyone wears purple belts so that we use the opportunity to explain why it’s important in class,” Mark said.
“Seventy per cent of our membership are children, so we use the purple belt to get everyone talking about it and to share the messages with parents and families as well.
“Lots of mums are really appreciative of us having these conversations with their sons and talking about that early – there’s tons of benefits.”
They are also fundraising for support organisation RizeUp and inviting the public into the dojo for a free session for all ages, teaching skills such as situational awareness, de-escalation techniques, and basic self-defence.
“The real thing is letting everyone know that GKR offers a supportive space, that we discuss critical society issues and we’re trying to build practical safety skills to combat that,” Mark said.
“It’s a campaign that raises both funds and awareness to create more meaningful community conversations around domestic violence.”
The free class will be held on Saturday 25 October at Wollongong GKR Karate on Keira Street with current students, families and the broader community invited to attend.
Event details and donation details for RizeUp are available through the GKR Karate website.
Anyone impacted by sexual, domestic or family violence can contact 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732 or Full Stop Australia on 1800 385 578.
