The CPO Policy and Operating Guidelines (“Guidelines”) provide the ISKCON Society with information and guidance regarding expected conduct and basic ecclesiastic and legal responsibilities when interacting with children as ISKCON clergy, personnel or participants.
ISKCON Child Protection Office Policy & Operational Guidelines
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Introductory Statement…………………………………………………………………………………………………………….3
Overview………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………5
Definitions ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………6
Standards, Principles, and Procedures Overview………………………………………………………………..7
I. Standards: Abuse Reporting Standards………………………………………………………………………………8
II. Principles: Faith Doctrine and Internal Governance ………………………………………………………9
A. General Principles for ISKCON Clergy and Personnel………………………………………………..10
B. Preventative Principles…………………………………………………………………………………………………….10
C. Behavioral Principles in Dealing with Children…………………………………………………………..11
III. Procedures: Internal Review Procedures………………………………………………………………………..11
A. Pastoral Commitment……………………………………………………………………………………………………….12
B. Victim Assistance ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………12
C. CPO Review Panels ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………12
Communication Policy……………………………………………………………………………………………………………….13
Removing ISKCON Clergy or Personnel …………………………………………………………………………………13
Implementation of Policies……………………………………………………………………………………………………….14
IV. Specific Procedures of the CPO Review Panels……………………………………………………………….14
A. Principles…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….14
B. Jurisdiction………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….14
C. CPO and Review Panel Process……………………………………………………………………………………….16
D. Convening a Review Panel ………………………………………………………………………………………………17
E. Conducting the Review …………………………………………………………………………………………………….17
F. Review Panel Decisions and Recommendations ………………………………………………………..18
G. Written Decisions ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………..19
H. Distribution of Decisions ………………………………………………………………………………………………..19
I. Additional Policies -Confidentiality, Application of Decisions,
Statute of Limitations, Double Jeopardy………………………………..20
Appeals Process …………………………………………………………………………..20
J. Further Considerations on Restrictions, Requirements and Recommendations ….21
Appendix I – Definitions of Types of Abuse…………………………………………………………………………..24
Appendix II – Adolescent Offenders ……………………………………………………………………………………….28
Appendix III – Role and Duties of ISKCON Central Office of Child Protection………………..29
Appendix IV – Child Protection Team Role and Responsibilities ……………………………………..31
Appendix V – Relevant GBC Resolutions………………………………………………………………………………..33
Introductory Statement
The International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) is committed to the well being
of all individuals involved with ISKCON, especially children and other more vulnerable participants.
ISKCON recognizes that children, for their full and harmonious development, need to be raised
in an atmosphere of love, support, guidance and understanding. ISKCON acknowledges that
children, when so raised, are likely to play a vital role in the future of our Society. Thus, placing
the interests of the children first is not only in the best interest of the children themselves but also
of ISKCON and society at large.
ISKCON affirms that children have the need and the right to be protected, nurtured, and guided.
This includes the right of all children and young people to live in an environment where they are
protected from exploitation and abuse, and to actively participate in temple/devotional activities
within the ISKCON community.
Thus, for ISKCON, the protection of children is paramount. All persons who associate with
ISKCON should be able to trust with confidence those within ISKCON who associate with, care
for, and minister to them. This principle is especially true for children. The violation of trust
through abuse or harassment of children by ISKCON leadership, clergy or other personnel is a
source of great pain and disturbance for those directly affected, as well as the greater Vaisnava
community and society at large.
The GBC directly, through its influence within ISKCON and its participants, and particularly
through the ISKCON Central Office of Child Protection (CPO), is committed to make every
reasonable effort to protect children and to prevent abuse of children. Hence, the ISKCON Child
Protection Policy and Operational Guidelines (hereafter “Guidelines”) is meant to put in place
policies that facilitate prompt and appropriate response to all allegations of abuse wherever there
is a reasonable belief that abuse has occurred.
ISKCON is committed to implementing these Guidelines to ensure that everyone involved with
children honors their responsibilities to safeguard children from harm. This can be achieved
only by a clear commitment from all ISKCON participants, especially those in management,
leadership and educational roles, to follow these Guidelines, which includes (where applicable)
the duty to promptly report any concerns about children’s welfare to the relevant secular authorities.
The aim of these Guidelines is to promote good practice and offer effective policies to provide
children and young people with appropriate safety and protection whilst in ISKCON
communities. The Guidelines are also intended to facilitate the CPO and its agents, local Child
Protection Teams (CPTs), and other ISKCON authorities in making informed and confident
decisions with regards to specific child protection issues, and to offer clear guidance for
addressing instances of child maltreatment.
Any credible report of child maltreatment to the CPO or a CPT will be taken seriously and should receive a confidential, adequate, consistent and sensitive response.
ISKCON will comply with all obligations of both civil and ecclesiastical law. It will endeavor to
prevent abuse and harassment to the fullest extent possible, and provide education and guidance as
appropriate, and promote healing and empowerment when needed.
No person, who has been determined to have engaged in severe maltreatment of children, will be
allowed to remain active in a position of authority or trust1 within ISKCON, this includes
activities such as leading kirtan, giving class, speaking publically at any ISKCON event or
representing ISKCON in official capacities. This sanction is to avert future threats to children
and to the society as well as to honor and respect those who have been impacted by abuse.
Such actions violate civil and criminal laws as well as Vaisnava spiritual principles and are
outside the scope of the duties, employment, and engagement of all personnel. ISKCON will not
tolerate any such criminal behavior. This policy applies to all temples, centers, projects, and
activities within ISKCON.
Balanced care will be taken to protect the rights of all parties involved, particularly any person
who claims to have been abused, as well as the person against whom an allegation has been
made. Should an accusation be found accurate, every reasonably possible step will be taken to
protect the abused person and prevent the accused from ever again endangering any vulnerable
person within ISKCON. Conversely, should an accusation be proven unfounded, every
reasonable step will be taken to help protect and restore the good name of the person falsely
accused.
In sum, the intention of ISKCON in offering these Guidelines is to promote a balanced
expression of acknowledgment, support, healing, and empowerment based on the underlying and
the unwavering principle that acts of abuse or harassment by ISKCON clergy and personnel will not
be tolerated.
In support of that principle, the disclosure of alleged abusive conduct will be promptly
addressed; the accused will be confronted with a view to doing justice; the alleged victim will be
supported throughout this process; the accused will receive a fair hearing; all parties shall be
acknowledged, respected and shown civility at every stage. If the accusation is found to be
unsubstantiated it will be publicly acknowledged as such, if appropriate. If the accusation is
substantiated, appropriate discipline will be instituted with the view to protect the victim and the
community and to prevent abusive behavior in the future.
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