Newsletters – ISKCON Child Protection

October 2025

venimadhava — Mon, 20 Oct 2025 15:55:45 +0000

October 2025

CPOC Newsletter

Issue #2

Read Newsletter

Just scroll down

Read Newsletter

Just scroll down

From the CPOC Team: Our Second Newsletter

In our last newsletter, we committed to developing foundational training materials; strengthening collaborations with regional offices and stakeholders; creating tools to support local CPO offices with compliance and documentation; and building a transparent, accessible, and efficient infrastructure for child protection oversight. We are pleased to share the progress we’ve made and the steps ahead as we continue to fulfill these promises.

Activities

(July to September 2025)

Set up a Telegram username for secure calls available at: https://www.iskconcp.org/contact/
Purchased case management software for secure and confidential logging of all cases that are reported to CPOC. Final adjustments are being made by programmers to ensure alignment with the processes and policies outlined in the CPO Guidelines. Our hope is that Regional Directors will be able to access the software shortly, fostering a sense of collaboration and uniformity across case management in the various regions.
Created and continue to work on internal and external policies to further define the Enhanced Approach.
Established a formal relationship with ISKCON’s Law Department and appointed Acyuta Kesava dasa (Australia) as a liaison.
Appointed Dahani devi dasi (Serbia) as the lead of CPOC’s Safeguards Office.

Activities

(July to September 2025)

Set up a Telegram username for secure calls available at: https://www.iskconcp.org/contact/
Purchased case management software for secure and confidential logging of all cases that are reported to CPOC. Final adjustments are being made by programmers to ensure alignment with the processes and policies outlined in the CPO Guidelines. Our hope is that Regional Directors will be able to access the software shortly, fostering a sense of collaboration and uniformity across case management in the various regions.
Created and continue to work on internal and external policies to further define the Enhanced Approach.
Established a formal relationship with ISKCON’s Law Department and appointed Acyuta Kesava dasa (Australia) as a liaison.
Appointed Dahani devi dasi (Serbia) as the lead of CPOC’s Safeguards Office.

Activities

(July to September 2025)

Set up a Telegram username for secure calls available at: https://www.iskconcp.org/contact/
Purchased case management software for secure and confidential logging of all cases that are reported to CPOC. Final adjustments are being made by programmers to ensure alignment with the processes and policies outlined in the CPO Guidelines. Our hope is that Regional Directors will be able to access the software shortly, fostering a sense of collaboration and uniformity across case management in the various regions.
Created and continue to work on internal and external policies to further define the Enhanced Approach.
Established a formal relationship with ISKCON’s Law Department and appointed Acyuta Kesava dasa (Australia) as a liaison.
Appointed Dahani devi dasi (Serbia) as the lead of CPOC’s Safeguards Office.

CHALLENGES

In our previous newsletter, we identified three core challenges: incomplete archival of historical case files, missing documentation on past decisions and clearance statuses, and community hesitation during this structural transition. Since then, we have taken concrete steps to address these concerns:

Communicated our challenges to the GBC EC and sought ISKCON General Counsel’s advice.
Consulted with an external legal professional to identify and address legal pitfalls with respect to the incomplete archival of historical case files and the missing documentation of past decisions.
Started to work on various policies and recommendations for the GBC EC to propose a path forward.
Developed and started using a robust legal disclaimer in the issuance of clearances.

CPOC OFFICES

(From July to September 2025)

Governance Office

Weekly internal CPOC meetings, and since September, weekly meetings of the Safeguards Office.
20+ meetings with RGBs, CPOC Directors, CPT members, and external parties, i.e., prospective investigators, social workers, and legal professionals.
Initiated a comprehensive survey among current Regional Directors to gain insights into the state of child protection affairs, focusing on systems, case management, education, compliance, and the accessibility of documentation through translation.
The network of attorney translators has been activated to help with legally sensitive translations, while a parallel network is being built for other translations that are not so specialized. Translations of Child Protection Guidelines into Portuguese and Hindi have started, with several other languages lined up.

If you are bilingual and wish to volunteer with us, email us at office@iskconcp.org!

Safeguards Office

Preparing training for Child Protection Teams and Regional Directors
Producing key reference materials to facilitate understanding of the Guidelines
Sourcing exemplary materials and practices from ISKCON and beyond to support better implementation of the Guidelines.

Safeguards Office

Preparing training for Child Protection Teams and Regional Directors
Producing key reference materials to facilitate understanding of the Guidelines
Sourcing exemplary materials and practices from ISKCON and beyond to support better implementation of the Guidelines.

Cases Office

Reported to CPOC directly from July to September 2025:

Clearance requests/inquiries: 12
Consultations: 1
Compliance requests: 1
Leadership Complaint: 2
New cases: 5
- Out of which whistleblower cases: 2
Historical case/follow-up: 1
Cases closed: 2

Relationship Building and Outreach:

Presented at the ISKCON Asia-Pacific Law Conference (Sydney, Australia, on July 13, 2025), where the independent investigators were discussed (Govinda Lilamrta dd)
In September 2025, Bharat CPO facilitated a meeting with CPT members across India, where CPOC presented the Enhanced Approach. Over 90 devotees attended, and the feedback received was very positive.
Our website has been getting traction! In recent months, we were contacted by a few secular organizations in the United States that focus on child safety and family unity, who complimented us on our work and asked us to feature their services on our website.

SPECIAL THANKS TO CPO BHARAT!

CPOC extends our heartfelt appreciation to the Bharat Child Protection Office for being one of our strongest partners in advancing the Enhanced Approach to child protection. From the very beginning, CPO Bharat has engaged with openness, professionalism, and a spirit of collaboration. Their consistent communication with CPOC and willingness to apply the Enhanced Approach in complex and cross-jurisdictional cases have set an inspiring example for other regions. We are deeply grateful for their dedication and look forward to continuing this flourishing partnership in the service of safeguarding children within ISKCON.

Acyuta Kesava das

(Australia)

view profile

Acyuta Kesava dasa joined the CPOC team as a collaborator in September 2025. Raised in a devotee family in Sydney and initiated at 15, he is a law and business student at Macquarie University, a Policy and Compliance Officer advocating for vulnerable individuals, and an active member of ISKCON’s Law Department and GBC Wills Committee.

Although aware of his past successes, the CPOC team was particularly impressed by the dedication, meticulousness, and humility he brought to supporting child protection work. He joined to strengthen the team’s professional expertise by connecting CPOC with qualified devotee lawyers, while actively contributing to CPOC’s work by undertaking key tasks and responsibilities.

His contributions include:

Engaging devotee lawyers to translate the CPO Guidelines into major world languages with legal precision, ensuring the highest level of protection for local communities.
Identifying devotee professionals who can serve on CPOC committees.
Researching and compiling information to help ISKCON communities worldwide comply with local laws regarding key functions, including but not limited to whistleblowing, data privacy, and mandatory reporting.

CPOC is very grateful to have Acyuta Kesava d on board, as he brings a dynamic energy and proactive spirit that continuously inspires the entire team!

Did you know?

According to the 2023 Child Protection Guidelines, and in the interest of accountability and transparency, a procedural review of a CPO case that has been previously adjudicated may be initiated if there is “clear and convincing evidence of a substantial failure” to follow the Guidelines, “and/or a lack of fairness in the proceedings that would amount to a gross miscarriage of justice” (CPO Guidelines, p. 24). The review is strictly limited to procedural matters – that is, it serves only to determine whether the process outlined in the Guidelines was properly followed.

July 2025

venimadhava — Fri, 18 Jul 2025 00:26:52 +0000

July 2025

CPOC Newsletter

Issue #1

Read Newsletter

Just scroll down

Read Newsletter

Just scroll down

From the CPOC Team: Our First Newsletter

As a newly created GBC-appointed body, the Child Protection Oversight Committee (CPOC) is pleased to share the first edition of our regular newsletter series.

These newsletters will serve as a transparent window into our ongoing work—sharing updates, initiatives, and important developments related to child protection oversight within ISKCON.

In alignment with our core principles of transparency, accountability, and community collaboration, we aim to foster clear and consistent communication with the ISKCON community.

All current and future issues of this newsletter will be archived and publicly accessible at: www.iskconcp.org

We thank you for your continued support as we carry forward this essential service.

What is CPOC?

The Child Protection Oversight Committee (CPOC) is a GBC-nominated supervisory body established to ensure global accountability and adherence to ISKCON’s child protection policies.

While not directly involved in individual case management, adjudications, or appeals, CPOC provides essential governance, strategic guidance, and oversight to strengthen child protection across ISKCON communities worldwide.

TIMELINE: FROM TRANSITION TO IMPLEMENTATION

This brief timeline outlines the major milestones that led to the formation and official launch of the CPOC, reflecting the GBC’s ongoing commitment to strengthening ISKCON’s approach to child protection.

March 2024

GBC approves the appointment of an Interim Oversight Committee to ensure compliance with existing CPO policies (GBC Resolution 450.03; March 9, 2024).

August 2024 – January 2025

In-depth planning, discussions, staffing, and risk assessment for a new child protection implementation approach.

January 2025

CPOC is formally established as a GBC-mandated body with a mission to enhance and oversee ISKCON’s child protection system

February 2025

GBC passes an additional resolution (GBC resolution 450.03; February 21, 2025) requiring expanded stakeholder engagement by CPOC. This includes CPOC’s engagement in more in-depth consultations with regional CPO directors, RGBs, and other stakeholders.

March 2025

Official start of the Child Protection Oversight Committee’s mandate

ACTIVITIES: March-June 2025

Since the start of its mandate in March 2025, CPOC has focused on setting up essential infrastructure, tools, and outreach channels to support its mission. Below is a summary of our major accomplishments in this initial phase.

Launched new website: www.iskconcp.org

Building a global educational platform to host training and awareness courses for devotees. Once launched, the platform will be accessible directly through CPOC’s website.

Virtual office set up with email, communication, and task management systems

Began demo testing for suitable case management software to ensure integrity and security across regions

Documented internal processes, workflows, and responsibilities

Established archiving and data storage protocols

Initiated and maintained contact with Regional Governing Bodies (RGBs) and Regional Child Protection Offices

Established contact with Child Protection Teams and took part in in-person meetings and conversations with child protection teams.

Drafted work plan with KPIs and budgetary structure

Began reforming the clearance issuance system for accuracy and accountability

Investigator Network Development

Engaged in outreach to identify independent investigators

Held meetings with prospective investigators located in North America, Europe, and India

Created and shared job description via ISKCON’s legal devotee/attorney channels

LOOKING AHEAD

CPOC’s next phase involves deepening our service to the devotee community by rolling out educational content, enhancing coordination with local offices, ensuring restriction compliance, and continuing the development of practical systems for training and oversight.

Continue our efforts to compile and create foundational training materials
Strengthen collaborations with regional offices and stakeholders
Develop tools to support local CPO offices with compliance and case documentation
Continue building a transparent, accessible, and efficient infrastructure for child protection oversight

Statements

Guru Prasad Swami stated, “The safety and well-being of children is a sacred responsibility. With the establishment of the Child Protection Oversight Committee, staffed by experienced legal professionals with secular experience and expertise in dealing with child protection and prosecution, and a managed transition to this enhanced approach of implementing our child protection policy, we are ensuring that ISKCON creates a safe, nurturing environment for children.”

CPOC IN NUMBERS (From March 2025-June 2025)

As we build out our data and reporting systems, below are some early figures that reflect our engagement and workflow since the launch of the CPOC mandate.

50+ internal CPOC meetings
20+ meetings with RGBs, CPOC Directors, CPT members, and external parties, i.e., prospective investigators, social workers and legal professionals

Reported to CPOC directly:

Clearance requests/inquiries: 5
Appeals: 3
Consultations: 1
Compliance requests: 2
New cases: 3
Previously incomplete case follow-up: 2

CPOC has received inquiries and/or case submissions to date from the following sources:

Bharat CPO
Africa CPO
Mauritius CPT
UK CPT
Individual devotees

Among the recently reported cases, one noteworthy matter involved a cross-jurisdictional issue, which allowed us to foster meaningful cross-border collaboration. Two separate yatras and their respective oversight mechanisms participated in the process, offering mutual support and shared accountability. Witnessing devotees from different regions work together on a single case, while respecting the principles of the new approach, was encouraging and heartening.

We are also pleased to share that the enhanced approach to child protection has already been implemented and tested in India on two separate occasions. In both instances, external, independent investigators were engaged to carry out the investigative process. While the logistical aspects—such as onboarding, drafting legal agreements, and contract execution—proved challenging, these cases offered invaluable opportunities to refine our procedures and demonstrate that this new model can function in complex real-world scenarios.

These steps represent early signs of progress and the possibility of establishing a more consistent, accountable, and professional global framework for child protection within ISKCON.

Challenges

As part of our commitment to transparency, we note that historical case documentation remains an area requiring attention. We are actively working with regional leaders and external legal professionals to address gaps and ensure continuity, while keeping ISKCON’s children safe.

The main challenges we have faced include:

Incomplete archival of historical case files
Missing documentation on past decisions and clearance statuses
Community hesitation. As with any structural transition, it is natural that some devotees may express doubt or hesitation. We recognize that trust must be earned through consistency, transparency, and sincere engagement—and we are committed to building that trust over time through our actions.

These challenges have impacted CPOC’s mandate on two separate fronts: (1) ensuring that clearances that are being issued are accurate and done so reflecting the current status quo, and (2) seeing through the adjudication of pending appeals, which have been halted since before CPOC took office. These challenges have been communicated to the GBC EC and RGBs globally, and we have sought external legal assistance to better understand legal risks associated with these practices, as well as mitigation practices and a way to move forward with keeping ISKCON’s children safe while ensuring that pending case appeals are handled following the principles of due process and fairness. In fact, these challenges reinforce our commitment to serve with professionalism, humility, open communication, and alignment with ISKCON’s values of accountability and compassion.

A Note to the ISKCON Community

CPOC was created to uphold ISKCON’s commitment to protecting children and supporting safe devotional spaces for generations to come. This is our shared responsibility.

We welcome your feedback, support, and prayers as we continue to build systems rooted in dharma, transparency, and compassion.

For more information, visit:

www.iskconcp.org

office@iskconcp.org

FEATURE: Interim ICPO Director – H.G. Champakalata Devi Dasi

Although not a member of CPOC, H.G. Champakalata Devi Dasi has played an instrumental role during this transitional period, serving as a mentor and resource as we are establishing our systems and service approach. Her deep commitment to education, training, and structural reform in child protection coupled with her legal education and practice background (as a member of the judiciary and practicing attorney in private practice) has been a valuable support for our committee.

Acting in her independent capacity as Interim ICPO Director, she has:

Continued providing strategic guidance on training needs and best practices
Initiated planning for an in-person training in Europe, anticipated for Fall 2025
Met in person with the Europe CPO Director while in Italy, strengthening local engagement

We sincerely appreciate her dedication to child protection and her collaborative spirit in sharing knowledge and experience across ISKCON’s global landscape.