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Underworld BJJ Policies

Underworld BJJ is unequivocally a safe place to train jiu jitsu. At Underworld BJJ, we believe in treating all individuals with respect, kindness, and dignity. We are fully and firmly against exploitation, abuse, harassment, bullying, or misuse of power in any form, and are deeply committed to providing a safe, supportive, healthy environment for any person who comes to our gym. 

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As such, Underworld BJJ has a zero-tolerance harassment policy prohibiting sexual harassment and harassment of an individual for any reason, including but not limited to: race, color, citizenship status, national origin, ancestry, gender, sexual orientation, age, religion, creed, disability, marital status, veteran status, political affiliation, or any other factor protected by federal, state, or local law. This policy applies to all Underworld employees, coaches, members, contractors, visitors, and associated third parties, and covers all interactions on the mats, in the gym, during gym social events, and online. By training at our gym, you agree to the following policies.

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It is the duty of all Underworld coaches and staff to ensure and safeguard, to the best of their ability, the welfare and the prevention of physical, sexual, and emotional abuse of anyone on our mats, especially children and young people with whom they come into contact. 

Definition of Prohibited Behaviors:

Prohibited conduct by includes, but is not limited to:

  • Unwelcome physical contact, including unnecessary or overly aggressive pressure in training that is sexual in nature, including, but not limited to:

    • demanding hugs or unnecessary physical touch

    • invading personal space

    • making unnecessary physical contact, including unwanted touching, etc.

  • Non-consensual sexual advances, requests for dates or sexual favors, bragging about sexual prowess, or inappropriate sexual questioning or physical gestures.

  • Speaking or joking about inappropriate topics in the presence of minors, including anything sexual or lewd in nature.

  • Sexualized jokes, spreading sexualized rumors, suggestive comments, or vulgar teasing, including in-person, digitally, or on social media.

  • Excessive watching, leering, staring, or taking unauthorized photographs/videos.

  • Abuse of power by coaches or higher belts, including grooming or manipulating students, and/ or acting in a paternalistic way that someone thinks undermines their status or position of responsibility.

  • Intentionally humiliating, punishing, singling out an individual in a hostile, public, and/or uncomfortable way.

  • Striking or throwing objects to create an environment of fear, or intentionally damaging an individual or the gym’s property.

  • Any form of hazing for new members or visitors.

  • Bringing a firearm or weapon into the gym.

  • Harassment that has the purpose or effect of creating an intimidating, hostile, or offensive training environment, including sex-specific derogatory names or language, and/ or comments that are rooted in sexism, misogyny, racism, homophobia, transphobia, xenophobia, disability, or any other factor protected by federal, state, or local law. 

  • Harassment that has the purpose or effect of unreasonably interfering with an individual's training performance/experience, sense of safety, or personal boundaries, or otherwise adversely affects an individual's training goals or opportunities at Underworld BJJ.

 

Misconduct at Underworld BJJ also includes the failure to intervene and/ or report an incident of abuse, including: 

  • Failure to report an incident when it is required by law and/or by Underworld BJJ policies.

  • Intentionally filing a false allegation.

  • Abuse of the reporting process and/or retaliation.

  • Knowingly facilitating, promoting, or encouraging a violation of Underworld’s policies. 

Autonomy and Dignity:

We firmly believe that one’s autonomy during training is paramount in our space. Examples of this belief are evident in Underworld BJJ’s culture of autonomy, dignity, respect and equality of all individuals, including in our informal policies, such as:

  1. Anyone can say "no" to a roll with anyone at any time, and they do not need to give a reason, and anyone may approach anyone for a roll– lower belts may ask higher belts and vice versa.

  2. Anyone can stop a drill or roll at any time for any reason.

  3. If anyone ever needs a moment to recenter after being triggered by combat, Underworld BJJ is a safe space to do that, and our coaches will accommodate this need to the best of their ability.

  4. We do not require anyone to bow before a coach or call them anything but their name.

  5. Consent is never implied by rank, loyalty, or prior behavior, and is invalid if pressure, fear, rewards, or threats are involved.

Safety Policies:

Everyone on our mats is an equal, and we all have a responsibility to keep each other safe. The following policies are meant to keep our training space as safe and respectful as possible:

  1. Intentionally hitting, striking, kicking, biting, gouging, headbutting, fish-hooking, oil-checking, and bending back individual fingers is strictly prohibited.

  2. When your training partner taps, you must let go of your submission/ position immediately. 

  3. When applying submissions, we require that you allow your partner time to tap (no “ripping” submissions or making fast, uncontrolled movements).

  4. Slamming, spiking, and intentionally rolling off the mat are prohibited. Spinal locks and cranks should be cleared with your partner before applying, and should be applied slowly and carefully.

  5. Flying scissor takedowns are strictly prohibited. All other flying moves (including guard jumping, flying armbars/ triangles, etc) should be cleared by your partner before attempting.

  6. One or two hand trachea chokes are prohibited.

  7. On a crowded mat, anyone who notices they are about to bump into someone should move out of the way, regardless of belt or status.

  8. Anyone under the influence of drugs or alcohol is prohibited from training.

  9. Be aware of using strength over technique, and do not try anything dangerous that you are not familiar with.

Dress code and Training Attire Policy:

Underworld BJJ mandates all members and visitors to maintain a clean, hygienic, safe, and appropriate environment by adhering to the following attire policies. The following is strictly prohibited:

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  • Walking with footwear (other than wrestling shoes) on our mats.

  • Wearing any gear that is deemed unsafe, distracting, excessively revealing, or features visible undergarments or nudity.

  • Wearing any gear that  depicts or advocates hate speech, pornography, or contains language or imagery that is (or can be construed to be) racist, misogynistic, lewd, vulgar or obscene, defamatory, or threatening.

  • Jewelry must be removed whenever possible, finger and toenails must be kept short, hair must be pulled back, and any open wounds must be covered.

  • We ask that all students are clean, hygienic, and refrain from training when sick or with any rashes or lesions. 

Reporting Procedures and Bringing a Complaint

Reporting as the victim or witness:


If the victim feels safe doing so, they are encouraged to clearly tell the individual that their behavior is unwelcome. We also ask that victims report any incidents directly and immediately to the coach. The reporting process will be kept confidential to the extent possible.


If the behavior continues, the victim is uncomfortable confronting the perpetrator, or the behavior is severe enough that it warrants immediate escalation, please report the incident immediately to the following: 

  • Directly to the coach

  • Directly to management in writing at danielle.gallo@underworlddc.com. This email is managed by both owners, Danielle Gallo and Aidan Oates.

 

Reporting to Underworld BJJ does not satisfy an individual’s obligation to report to law enforcement or other appropriate authorities. If an incident involves only adults, it is the victim’s choice whether or not to pursue legal action. If minors or incapacitated adults are involved, we are required by DC law to report these incidents. Please report to (as appropriate):

 

  • 911

  • Anonymous tip-line for DC:

  • Call: 202-727-9099 (must request anonymity)

  • Anonymous text tip-line: 50411

  • Other hotlines:

  • Child Abuse Hotline: 202-671-7233

  • Hate Crimes Hotline: 202-727-0500

  • Asian Liaison Unit: 202-487-3901

  • Deaf and Hard of Hearing Liaison Unit: 202-553-7874

  • Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Liaison Unit: 202-727-5427

  • Latino Liaison Unit: 202-673-4445

  • Youth and Family Services Division: 202-576-6768

Reporting as Underworld BJJ staff, employee, or coach:

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Any incident that is reported to you, and/ or witnessed by you, must be immediately reported to management in writing at danielle.gallo@underworlddc.com. One or both of the owners will likely also ask to speak via phone or in person about the incident, but it is important to have a full description of the incident in writing as well. This is required whether or not the victim contacts management themselves.

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In your report, please include what happened, whether or not you personally witnessed it, any relevant information (including dates, times, etc), and what authorities have already been contacted (police, hotlines, etc). Please include as much detail as possible.

 

Mandated Reporting

Under District of Columbia law (see D.C. Code §22-3020.52[a]), any person 18 or older who knows, or has reasonable cause to believe, that a child under the age of 16 is a victim of sexual abuse must immediately report such knowledge or belief to the police or the DC Child and Family Services Agency.  

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Please note that athletic coaches, and therefore all Underworld BJJ staff, coaches, and instructors, fall under the category of mandated reporters.

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Mandated reporters are defined by law (see D.C. Code §4-1321.02) as people who must report suspicions of child physical or sexual abuse or neglect. This means they have a legal obligation to report any kind of suspected mistreatment of children to law enforcement and social services immediately and without delay– so if anyone reports an incident involving one of these protected groups to a coach, they will be required by law to report to police whether or not the reporting party wants to seek legal action. A mandated reporter who acts in good faith and in the best interest of the child has immunity from any civil or criminal liability when making a report.

Non-Retaliation and Confidentiality:

Underworld BJJ protects victims who come forward. Retaliation against any individual for reporting harassment or participating in an investigation is strictly prohibited and will result in immediate termination. 

Consequences:

Failure to adhere to our policies are assessed on a case-by-case basis, but could result in:

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  1. Verbal and/ or written warnings;

  2. Suspension of employment and/or training with Underworld BJJ;

  3. Immediate termination of employment, training, or work contracts with Underworld BJJ;

  4. A lifetime ban from Underworld BJJ;

  5. Credible reports of threats, violence, or unwanted physical or sexual contact may result in legal action and police involvement.

  6. Credible reports of threats, violence, or unwanted physical or sexual contact against minors will result in police involvement.

Resources

Owner Contact

  • National Sexual Assault Hotline (RAINN):

    • Call 800-656-HOPE (4673); free, confidential, 24/7.

    • Chat at rainn.org/hotline.

    • Text “HOPE” to 64673.

  • DC Rape Crisis Center:

    • Address: 5321 1st Pl NE, Washington DC 20011

    • Phone: 202-232-0789

  • Counseling/Legal Aid : Many offer free/sliding-scale support for survivors.

202-846-2333

danielle.gallo@underworlddc.com

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