Charges frenzy studio

The child molestation charges against Costa Mesa-based self-defense instructor John Patrick Harison (also spelled Jon Patrick Harrison) are “out of character” and the allegations represent the “first incident of its type” in the 40-year history of United Studios of Self Defense, according to a statement released Friday by the nationwide franchise’s management.

Harison appeared in court Thursday after he was arrested for allegedly fondling a 4-year-old girl who was his student at the Costa Mesa branch of United Studios of Self Defense, where he is a co-owner.

The Costa Mesa gym is one of the few left in the country that is still owned and operated independently, which gives corporate management less control of its operations, according to Regional Vice President Kris Eszlinger, who is in charge of the company’s Southern California operations. Still, he said, Harison would have received a background check and proper instruction training earlier in his career with the organization.

Meanwhile, the news has put the company into a frenzy.

“We immediately started emergency training sessions for all instructors,” Eszlinger said.

He added that management was also considering putting cameras in all of its studios, and the recent allegations may expedite that process.

Many people who have been bullied and sexually abused in the past take self-defense classes, which makes it especially important for instructors to maintain their distance and ensure nothing looks or feels improper in the eyes of the clients, Eszlinger said.

The management of United Studios of Self Defense is determining the future of the Costa Mesa branch, but has not made any decisions yet. Meanwhile, the studio is open for operation.

ALAN BLANK may be reached at (714) 966-4623 or at alan.blank@latimes.com.