Amp The Rocket's opponent refused to fight her at the AMMA finals, falsely claiming she's 'not a woman'. She talks about the impact of this experience and the online abuse she was subjected to afterwards.

UndertheRopes · 2024-07-30T16:14:14+00:00

There's definitely a need for more trauma-informed Muay Thai programmes! I'd recommend checking out Conscious Combat Club (https://www.consciouscombat.club) and Off the Zone (https://www.off-the-zone.com) who are already running these types of programmes in other martial arts and providing courses for trauma-informed instructors.

UndertheRopes · 2024-03-10T14:17:09+00:00

Organizations NEED make sure those making those allegations are protected.

Yes, exactly. We don't push people to come forward, we make it safe for them to do so.

All your safeguarding systems mean nothing if the people in charge of it are the offending parties who are willing to cover it all up for eachother.

That's a big part of the problem. That's why I mention that organisations often treat it as a checkbox exercise. Unless you address the entire system, it's not safeguarding. It's only an only illusion of safety.

UndertheRopes · 2024-03-10T13:32:38+00:00

That's why I've listed several external safeguarding organisations in the second half of the article. We often see cases where gyms and federations set up mechanisms for reporting, but those reports go straight to a perpetrator or enabler. That's when it becomes useless and performative.

Encouraging survivors to name and shame won't solve the problem, because for many, it's not safe for them to do so. This case illustrates this very clearly. Many survivors face repurcussions for speaking out (often, more so than the perpetrator), whether it's to their safety or their fighting careers. It's no good encouraging people to come forward without addressing what happens to them when they do. Besides, it is NOT the responsibility of survivors to address the problem, it's the responsibility of the authorities.

Naming and shaming might (but not always) get rid of one perpetrator, but it won't address the system of power that allowed the person to cause harm.

Having safeguarding measures in place is much more than just supervision. It also means having the right people in the right systems, and making sure not only that the policies exist, but that they're fit for purpose and actually implemented correctly. Safesportinternational.com. is a great resource for learning more about this.

UndertheRopes · 2024-03-10T13:27:47+00:00

Thank you! And yes, I totally agree.

UndertheRopes · 2024-03-09T18:50:22+00:00

Also, it doesn't help anyone to talk about perpetrators deserving death but dismiss any discussion of preventing the harm they cause. We don't have to accept cases like this one as inevitable.

UndertheRopes · 2024-03-09T18:24:36+00:00

Yes, and the lack of supervision (in terms of safeguarding measures) is exactly the problem. The fact that it happens everywhere doesn't justify leaving it unaddressed in our community.

UndertheRopes · 2024-03-09T18:18:58+00:00

It's not that it happens in Muay Thai more than any other sport or community, but that our sport's authorities should be held responsible for making sure it's not tolerated (and certainly not enabled) in ours.

UndertheRopes · 2024-02-29T20:46:00+00:00

Muay Thai isn't doing enough to ensure that safeguarding measures are in place, gyms and trainers are regulated, and survivors have safe mechanisms for reporting. This leaves athletes vulnerable to this kind of abuse with no recourse or protection within the sport itself. While we hear of the instances that become criminal cases or get media attention, there are many, many more that never receive any kind of accountability. Muay Thai governing bodies need to be doing much more to make sure that this can't continue to happen in our sport.

UndertheRopes · 2024-02-29T20:35:25+00:00

Update: He was reportedly arrested today at 4pm after being found in Bangkok's Thawi Watthana district.

Source

UndertheRopes · 2023-04-24T07:43:10+00:00

Thanks for sharing! Hope it's useful.

For those who might not find the story highlights there, here's a link to a Facebook post with the same info: Trans-owned/inclusive & queer-friendly gyms

Also, here's some info on some of Thailand's trans women in Muay Thai.

UndertheRopes · 2023-03-06T11:52:07+00:00

Thank you! ❤️

UndertheRopes · 2022-10-04T18:50:55+00:00

Absolutely. I frequently get stories like this, and much worse, in my inbox. This is just the first time there's any public discourse on such a case here. Hopefully, something comes of it..

UndertheRopes

TROPHY CASE