Extra security to protect children at the Mayapur Festival

[Guest guest]

Dear Prabhus

PAMHO, AGTSP.

Prabhus, below is a notice regarding security for the festival in Mayapur

this year. We want to make an all out effort to avoid a repeat of last

year's problems. It's a bit lengthy because there are forms at the end for

devotees to fill out before they come to save time in the registration

process. Please post this as soon as possible on your conference sites and,

if possible, print it out and post it in your temples or anywhere it may be

seen by devotees coming for the festival.

Thanks for your help.

Yours in the service of Srila Prabhupada,

 

Ramadevi dasi (for Mayapur CPT)

Authorised by Mayapur Administrative Council

 

 

NEW FESTIVAL REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS

 

Please note that this year we intend to very strictly guard against any

illegal or illicit activity in the Dham, including intoxication and child

abuse. Unfortunately, in the past, a few reckless persons have thus

endangered themselves and others, as well as the whole standing of ISKCON in

India. Therefore, on the registration forms this year, we now have a

section that is intended to help us keep the festival free of these unwanted

and serious disturbances. All festival-goers must carefully read this

section, especially regarding the serious consequences of being caught

engaging in any illegal or illicit activity. You will be asked to sign a

form stating that you are aware of our standard on this matter and that you

understand the consequences of any misdemeanor. Visitors who stay at

private residences on the ISKCON property must also complete these forms.

 

Parents traveling with children under the age of sixteen will also be asked

to read and discuss with their children an information sheet from the

Mayapur Child Protection Team which covers general child-safety in Mayapur

as well as the specific danger of child abuse. Parents must sign and return

a section from this form at the time of registration. Several presentations

about child and youth safety will be scheduled during the festival and we

urge parents to attend one of these, along with their children. At last

year's festival, one serious case of child molestation occurred, involving a

young, unsupervised visiting child and an adult guest. This shocking and

tragic type of incident must be prevented from happening again at all costs!

 

The few problems with intoxication that we have experienced at past

festivals have usually involved younger persons under the influence of their

older companions. Therefore, in order to protect our youth, we hereby

notify all festival guests that anyone under eighteen years must be staying

with their parent or other legal adult guardian over the legal adult age of

21 years. Only small children whose parents are under 21 years of age are

exempt from the age restriction on their guardians. In the case that the

festival guardian is not the parent or usual legal guardian, then a

temporary transfer of guardianship must be supplied by the parent. At the

time youth register, these guardians will be asked to sign guarantor forms,

which means taking full responsiblility for the supervision and behaviour of

their wards at all times. This includes sharing the consequences, legal and

otherwise of any illicit activity.

 

Please do not expect any leniency in this regard. Immigration officials and

embassies may be notified in the case of foreigners. Indian nationals will

be handed over to the local police, and both will be immediately removed

from the property. The local ISKCON centre in the offender's yatra and, in

the case of youth, their family will also be notified. Future registration

for ISKCON guesthouses and festivals in Mayapur and Vrndavan may be barred.

 

Anyone who became known to security or other departments as a supplier of

intoxication in previous festivals will not be allowed to register this year

and will be asked to leave the ISKCON property immediately. Those who

became known as regular users of intoxication need a clearance from the

Mayapur Security and CPT before registration. The list of such persons is

confidential and is held by the Mayapur Child Protection Team and the

Mayapur Security Department. If you have a doubt about your own status,

information will be released to YOU only, on application, after the date of

February 10th. Contact Manasi.Ganga (AT) pamho (DOT) net

 

We genuinely regret any offense that the vast majority of sober and sincere

festival-goers may feel due to our addressing this matter, but we hope that

all of you, especially the youth, understand that our intention is to

protect innocent persons from being victimized by bad association. We want

to ensure that everyone has a safe, spiritually-enlivening experience!

 

To save yourself time during registration in Mayapur, please read, print and

fill in the forms attached to this file and bring them with you.

 

__________________________

 

Forms as Attachments

 

Please read the following Mayapur standards regarding illegal or illicit

activity. Then sign the statement that follows. Youth under eighteen years

of age must have their statement counter-signed by their adult guardian over

21 years.

 

"In order to protect the sanctity of the Holy Dham, to protect the devotees

from bad association, and to safeguard ISKCON's standing with local

authorities and Immigration, we have a policy of zero tolerance regarding

child abuse, intoxication, and any other illegal or illicit activity.

Offenders will be immediately removed from the property, delivered to the

police in the case of illegality, their local ISKCON yatra notified,

Immigration informed for foreigners, and future registration for festivals

in Vrndavan and Mayapur may barred for all such persons. For youth, the

same may apply to their adult guardians."

 

I understand the above policy, and agree to refrain from any such illicit or

illegal activity.

 

Signed.......................

 

Parent or Guardian of youth under 18 years:

 

I understand the above pllicy and stand as guarantor to the compliance of my

child/ward.

 

Signed.....................................

 

__________________________

 

Are you the parent or guardian of any children between the ages of 4 and 12

years? If so, you must read the following information about local safety

issues for youth that has been supplied by the Mayapur Child Protection

Team. It is also available at all guesthouses and wherever this

registration form is filled. There is a section at the bottom of this form

that you must sign and return before you can register. Please discuss the

contents with your child. We also urge you to attend with your child AS

SOON AS POSSIBLE one of the Child Safety presentations scheduled during the

festival. These will be advertised at the morning programme and on posters.

 

"Child Safety in Mayapur"

 

1. Child molesters have successfully singled out a very few unsupervised

children. This has happened in the daytime, at the temple! Be

vigilant! Report anything suspicious to security.

 

2. Drugs are easy to obtain in India. Do not be naive. Your child may

come under pressure to try them. Explain that they are dangerous, illegal,

and forbidden in Mayapur. Users will be removed from the property and may

be handed over to the police!

 

3. Mother Ganga is full of strong currents and sinking mud. There have been

drownings and collapses of the mud banks onto children. They must not go

there unsupervised!

 

4. Electricity in India is often unearthed. Shocks are frequent. They

cause severe burns or even death. Avoid cables, generators, strings of

lights, etc, especially near water. Construction sites are also extremely

dangerous. In recent months there has been one severe electrocution and two

near-fatal falls.

 

5. The Children's Park in the Grhastha Area is not meant for "babysitting"

unsupervised visiting children while parents attend seminars. Any such

young children will be sent to the Security Office to be collected. Local

parents and security guards can not be responsible for them.

 

6. Poisonous snakes are found in paddy fields and long grass, especially at

night. Wear shoes or, even better, avoid these places altogether.

 

I understand these safety instructions and have discussed them with my

child. I agree to take full responsibility for my child's safety.

 

Signed...............................

 

_________________________

 

 

ARE YOU BETWEEN THE AGES OF 14 and 18?

 

If so, please fill in the following details of the parent or legal adult

guardian over the age of 21 years who must share your accommodation and be

present during your entire stay, including accompanying you on parikram. If

the adult who will be your guardian for the festival is not your parent or

legal guardian, please supply a signed statement from your parent giving

temporary custody to this person.

 

Legal and initiated name of parent or guardian.............................

Relationship to child..............................

Signature of parent or guardian......................................

 

----------

 

ARE YOU THE PARENT OF GUARDIAN OF ANYONE UNDER 18 YEARS OF AGE?

 

If so, please especially note that you must share their accommodation and be

fully responsible for their behaviour and protection at all times, including

on the parikrama. You will be held accountable in case they indulge in any

illicit or illegal activity, on or off the property of ISKCON Mayapur.

 

I have read and understand the above responsibilities of a guardian and I

undertake to follow all requirements. I especially understand that I am

personally responsible for the supervision and safety of my child/ward at

all times.

 

Signed...........................................................