AP ABUSE STORY OUT

[Guest guest]

---------- Forwarded Message ----------

 

Anuttama (das) ACBSP (IC N.America)

09-Jun-99 12:58

SDG (GN Press Europe))

AP ABUSE STORY OUT

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Dear Maharajas and Prabhus,

 

Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.

 

The long awaited Associated Press (AP) article about past child abuse of

ISKCON children will be appearing within a few days. I have information that

the article will be officially released internationally by AP on Sunday June

13. It is possible that it will be printed before then, but unlikely.

 

The article itself was sent to media sources one or two days ago, but they

are obliged to hold it until the release date. This means that that some of

our temples may be contacted BEFORE or just after the story to get a "local

angle" on the article. In other words, your temple(s) may be contacted by

reporters who want to know if there was abuse in your local area, what has

been done about it, etc.

 

It is imperative that someone in a leadership/communications position is

prepared to respond to media inquiries and that all devotees know who to

refer such calls to. Also, it is essential that devotees are up to date with

ISKCON's response to past abuse and our efforts to assist the young people

that were abused.

 

Therefore, at the end of this message I again post the official response and

background information that was compiled and forwarded to you from Mukunda

Goswami and myself several months ago. I am not sending an updated Media

Release as it is not needed at this time. However, local spokespersons

should be familiar with the essential elements of an appropriate response if

the media contacts you. I advise therefore a review of the documents below

as a refresher.

 

I assume by now that your temple communities have been appropriately

informed of sad history of past abuse, as well as the ongoing efforts to

protect our children and address the past, both locally and internationally.

Thus, this upcoming media coverage should not be a shock to your

congregation or temple residents. Nonetheless, depending on the degree of

coverage in your area, you may want to again consider a public explanation

of ISKCON's efforts to help victims, protect our children, etc.

 

My information is that the article is quite negative. Although the work of

the Child Protection Office, Children of Krishna, and similar efforts are

mentioned, the overall tone of the article and the sad stories and graphic

details of abuse present a highly critical picture. This is not unsurprising

considering the unfortunate number of young devotee victims that suffered.

 

As sad as this history is, the fact is we can't change it. But, we can and

must rededicate ourselves to the efforts already well underway to guarentee

the protection of our children today, and to assist and support the young

adults who may have suffered in the past.

 

For example, just last week Dhira Govinda Prabhu, Director of the Office of

Child Protection completed training in Italy of a large number of judges to

expand to process of investigation allegations of past abuse and

adjudicating those cases. The CPO newsletter will have more details of that

in its next issue. Children of Krishna will be increasing the grants it

offers to devotee youths by over 25% in 1999. Both these efforts require

ongoing support and funding.

 

Equally important as these efforts, is the work that each and every one of

us can do, individually and collectively, to assure that every child in our

own communities is safe and well cared for. Secondly, to do everything we

can to reach out and support the 2nd generation devotees that live in and

around our communities. Many young people still feel some degree of

alienation or are troubled by past difficulties in their lives, or the

ongoing stress of living in modern times.

 

Vaishnava are to be known by their compassion. If we aspire to be real

Vaishnavas we must increase the amount of support, compassion, love and

friendship we offer to our fellow young devotees---and our children of all

ages.

 

Your servant, Anuttama dasa, ISKCON Communications

 

 

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What steps has ISKCON taken to protect children from abuse?

 

Many such steps, including:

---In 1990, the GBC passed a series of resolutions prescribing how abuse

allegations should be investigated, how children can be protected, and

mandated that Child Protection Teams be established at every temple.

---The ISKCON Board of Education has established screening procedures for

all adults who work with children.

---Krishna students are trained in standard and approved classes on

inappropriate touching, how to report suspicious characters, etc.

—In 1996, Children of Krishna was formed to provide funding for youth

projects and educational grants

---The Child Protection Office (CPO) was established in spring 1998 with

professional staff and funding.

The CPO has three primary functions:

a. To provide a system of investigating and responding to

allegations of child abuse, especially in cases where local legal systems

are ineffective.

b. To provide support for survivors of child abuse through financial

aid, counseling, etc.

c. To work with ISKCON management and educational bodies to help

provide screening and other programs to help protect children

 

 

If these events happened so long ago in the past, why is it an issue now?

 

Only over the last few years, has ISKCON become aware of the depth of the

past problems. During the 1996 North American GBC/TP meetings, ten Krishna

youth made a presentation documenting their personal stories of abuse.

Previous to that time, leaders and most members did not understand the

extent of the problem. After that meeting, Children of Krishna and the CPO

were established.

 

How many schools are there now?

 

There are approximately 50 Krishna schools in the world today. All but three

of those are day schools. Only Vrindavana, Mayapur, and a small (separately

incorporated) high school in Alachua, Florida are boarding schools. The rest

are day schools where children live with their parents.

 

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