Date: October 18, 1998
Contact: Anuttama Dasa
Phone: +1 (301) 299-9707
The academic journal of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON), in its most recent volume examines allegations of child abuse in the Hare Krishna boarding schools in the United States and India during the 1970's and 1980's.
Two scholars, one a Krishna devotee, Bharata Shrestha Das, and the other, Burke Rochford, a sociology professor in Vermont each contributed an article to the ISKCON Communications Journal. These individuals presented their research analyzing alleged abuse in ISKCON parochial school during the society's earliest years. The abuses they outlined were physical, emotional and sexual.
The New York Times called the report “an unusually candid expose.” The Times noted ISKCON's openness, in contrast with other religious organizations including the Roman Catholic Church, which has been criticized for its handling of child abuse.
“This type of problem thrives on secrecy,” said Anuttama Dasa, ISKCON National Director of Communications. “We chose to print the articles and bring the allegations out into the open as part of a multi-pronged response to address past problems as well as to help prevent future abuse of our children.”
In 1990, the ISKCON Governing Body Commission established policies to protect children from child abuse, as well as guidelines on how to respond to allegations of abuse. In 1996, when a panel of ten young adults testified about their experiences before North American Krishna leaders, the depth of the problem became known.
ISKCON responded by establishing a Child Protection Office staffed with professional social workers. This office has three functions: 1) To investigate and respond to allegations of child abuse, especially in cases where local legal systems are ineffective; 2) To provide support for victims of child abuse through financial aid and counseling; and 3) To work with ISKCON management and educational bodies to help provide screening and other programs to protect children.
Also, a support organization called Children of Krishna was established to provide financial assistance for Krishna youth for their educational needs and counseling.
All but four of Krishna schools are now day schools (not boarding schools), where students live with their parents, and parents have more daily input into their child's education.
ISKCON, also known as the Hare Krishna movement, was brought to the west from India in 1965 by A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami, an elderly Vaishnava monk and scholar. From there it spread across the world and today includes over 325 temples world-wide, including 45 in the United States.
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