Joao Walter Da Silva, the owner of a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu school in Davie has been arrested for sexual misconduct involving two teenage girls. Da Silva has been charged with three felony counts of lewd or lascivious molestation and one count of sexual assault on a minor. He is currently being jailed without bond. Mr. Da Silva , age 34, is the owner and instructor at Raiva Brazilian Jiu Jitsu located at 8234 W. State Road 84 in Davie, Florida. Raiva Brazilian Jiu Jitsu has been in business since March 2015.
A 13-year-old girl told Davie police she took classes at the school for almost three years and had been sexually touched by Joao Da Silva about three times a week after class beginning when she was 10 years old. Da Silva would reported touched her breast under her bra. A 15-year-old girl, who was in the same class, told Davie police that she had also been similarly touched by Da Silva at the Jiu Jitsu school. Law enforcement is encouraging any other victims to report their incidents. Hollywood Police Department is investigating the case of a 17-year old potential victim.
Sadly, it is not unheard of in the martial arts world for students to be coerced into having sex with an adult or to be propositioned to have sex in order to receive a martial arts promotion. Some recent case include the following:
Four Accused Sue Taekwondo Champion Brothers for Alleged Sexual Abuse
Like other industries, the the martial arts community includes a full spectrum of people – good, bad, and those in between. These are despicable acts and the offenders should be held accountable for their behavior, regardless of whether the offender is the business owner, main instructor, assistant instructor, or another student.
We have seen cases in which offenders intimidate victims to force their silence about the abuse or threaten to harm the victim or the victim’s family or a friend if they make a disclosure. Impressionable students and parents of students under the age of 18 need to be aware of the methods offenders may use to exploit them. This includes grooming in which the offender befriends and gains the trust and confidence of a child and his family before ultimately betraying that trust. Understand that no child, or adult for that matter, is completely immune from becoming the prey of an abuser.
Horowitz Law is experienced representing children who are victims of sexual misconduct by coaches, trainers, and other adults involved in youth athletics and other youth programs. If you or a loved one was sexually abused, raped or sexually molested by a youth coach, team leader, team administrator or sports team member, contact our law firm at (954) 641-2100 or send an email to sexual abuse lawyer Adam Horowitz at [email protected]