Child Protection Discussion at GBC Meeting

[Guest guest]

By Vipramukhya Swami

 

CHAKRA (Mayapur, India) - February 9, 2001: The GBC Body met today to hear a

presentation by Dhira Govinda Prabhu, AKA Dr. David Wolf, about child abuse.

Speaking before an audience of approximately 100, it was part of an ongoing

GBC program to increase awareness of child abuse issues and prevention. He

also presented several educational videos on abuse in churches/temples, and

among congregational members.

 

"I'm going to speak about the basic functions of the Child Protection

Office," he began.

 

In 1997 the GBC established the Child Protection Taskforce. This taskforce

outlined a plan for dealing with child protection issues of the past with a

view of establishing a healthy future for the Movement. A central office for

child protection was established in 1998.

 

Since its inception, the ISKCON Central Office of Child Protection (CPO)

implemented a system for investigating all allegations of abuse, past or

present. Dhira Govinda said that professionals such as counselors, child

psychologists and government officials have reviewed and given favorable

critiques of the ISKCON CPO system.

 

The CPO is meant to compliment existing government systems. Commenting on

the procedure for reporting suspected child abuse, Dhira Govinda said,

"Learn and follow the local law. The purpose of the child protection office

is not to replace local legal agencies, but to work in tangent."

 

He reported that another function of the child protection office is outreach

and to establish proper screening methods for those who work in ISKCON

temples and affiliated schools. Application forms, interviews, internal

background checks, and law enforcement background checks are critical.

 

Children as well as adults should be trained in abuse prevention. Dhira

Govinda said that since it is Kali-yuga, persons with ill intentions may

come to our temples. He made the point that having children trained in abuse

prevention and having child protection teams in place will serve as strong

deterrents.

 

After the brief rundown on the activity of the office, Dhira Govinda

conducted a lively question and answer session.

 

A 45-minute educational video on abuse followed. Many were surprised by the

statistics offered on the video. In North America, for example, 1 of 3 girls

and 1 of 7 boys will be sexually abused by the age of 18. "Child abuse is an

epidemic in modern society," commented one minister from Los Angeles.

 

Devotees from India informed the group about the just released book "Bitter

Chocolate." The book documents wide spread child abuse in India and is

creating a public outcry. Until recently, abuse in India has not been openly

addressed. The book documents widespread abuse across social, religious and

economic stratum.

 

The GBCs broke for lunch at 1 PM and returned at 3:30 PM. (Each meeting day

is divided into two formal 3 hour sessions.)

 

In the afternoon session, Dhira Govinda introduced Vedasara Prabhu, a

24-year-old who grew up in the Mayapur Gurukula system. He now works with

the ISKCON Central Office of Child Protection and is the principal of the

Mayapur Gurukula.

 

Vedasara introduced a group of Mayapur Gurukula students who are graduating

from the Gurukula this year. All of them reported favorable experiences in

the Gurukula, and were thankful of their time spent in the school. They

looked forward to the future service they hope to render to the Hare Krishna

Movement.

 

A second video presentation followed concerning a Christian Community that

struggled to establish an abuse education curriculum for their Sunday school

students.

 

A final video discussed the positive ways a church can implement child

protection programs. The video suggested four central elements of a

prevention plan: (1) screening of workers and volunteers, (2) supervision of

workers (the rule of three is that there should be at least two adults

present with any child), (3) reporting policies, and finally (4) a response

plan.

 

Those interested in learning how to obtain copies of these videos and other

educational material are urged to contact:

 

Dhira Govinda dasa

ISKCON Central Office of Child Protection

P.O. Box 1438

Alachua, Florida 32616-1438

Tel: 904-418-0882 FAX: 904-418-0982

Email: dgovinda (AT) aol (DOT) com

 

Leaders from different countries discussed their positive experiences in

utilizing the resources of local government and social welfare agencies.

Dhira Govinda pointed out that abuse prevention is an ongoing process. Where

in the past ISKCON communities may have been vulnerable to abuse in our

ashrama schools, today we are more likely to have allegations of abuse arise

from within our congregations. Thus all ISKCON temples, like any church or

synagogue, should assure that the precautions outlined above are in place.

 

GBC members and guests expressed appreciation for the ongoing efforts of the

ISKCON Office of Child Protection, and of the informative presentation by

Dhira Govinda Prabhu.