লক্ষ্মীমণি দেবী দাসীর (Laxmimoni devi dasi) মামলায় ISKCON-এর কেন্দ্রীয় শিশু সুরক্ষা কার্যালয়ের আনুষ্ঠানিক সিদ্ধান্ত; মামলাটি সমাপ্ত হয় ২৭ এপ্রিল ২০১৮

ISKCON®
                                   International Child Protection Office
                                   Bhaktivedanta Manor, Dharam Marg,
                                         Hilfield Lane, Aldenham
                                                  WD25 8EZ
                                                    UK
                                          Phone: +447740868434
                                     Email: iskconukcpo@gmail.com




                                         CONFIDENTIAL


              Official Decision on the case of Laxmimoni devi dasi. DOB: 4" December 1948




This decision concluded on Friday 27" April 2018, was rendered in accordance with the guidelines
for arbitrating cases of alleged child abuse established by the ISKCON Child Protection Policy and

Operational Guidelines, (‘Guidelines’) ratified by the ISKCON Governing Body Commission June of

2012 and consequent 2018 amendment. This finding is the Official Decision of the ISKCON Central

Office of Child Protection (ICOCP) in the case of Laxmimoni dd.            For purposes of identification,

Laxmimoni dd, aka Linda Hickey, is an initiated disciple of HDG AC Bhaktivedanta Swami

Prabhupada, currently living in Alachua.


This decision defines the parameters of the relationship of Laxmimoni dd (referred to as LM) with

ISKCON. The ICOCP advises child abuse victims, their parents, and all members of the ISKCON to

report allegations of child abuse to governmental social service/ law enforcement authorities. Also,

the ICOCP advises all members of ISKCON to learn and follow their local laws regarding child abuse

and mandated reporting of child abuse.


There are allegations of historical emotional, psychological, physical, and sexual abuse against 10

girls. According to the ISKCON Child Protection Policy and Operational Guidelines, definitions of

the above listed types of abuse are as follows:


EMOTIONAL ABUSE- failure to provide a climate that emotionally nourishes the child.


PSYCHOLOGICAL ABUSE - the persistent emotional ill-treatment of a child such as to cause severe and
lasting adverse effects on the child’s emotional development. It is a repeated pattern of behavior that
conveys to the child that they are worthless, flawed, unwanted, unloved, or only of value to meet another
person's needs. This verbal battering seriously erodes and damages the child's self esteem and sense of




       Founder Acarya His Divine Grace A C Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada

                                            ISKCON®
worth as a person.




PHYSICAL ABUSE - an act of commission (perpetration) by the parent or caretaker where the child is
physically injured.



SEXUAL ABUSE - when perpetrators (male or female) use a child to meet their own sexual needs. It is an

act of commission (perpetration) where a child is coerced, induced, persuaded, enticed, seduced, or
entrapped into sexual acts with another person. The abuser uses his/her position of authority or power
(size, age, social position, cognitive differential) to exert control over and exploit the victim. Forms of
sexual abuse include but are not limited to:
Exhibitionism (flashing) and having the child watch while the perpetrator masturbates.


For details on forms of abuse, please refer to pages 23-26 of the ISKCON Child Protection Policies and
Operational Guidelines manual.




Evidence:


The ICOCP received         10 statements from victims/witnesses regarding historical child abuse

allegations against LM. The victims were all female.


At the time of the alleged incidents, LM was an ashram teacher in the gurukula.


This review panel has considered all the information at its disposal and has come to the following

decision based on:
    i




         The nature and extent of the acts;

         The number of victims;

         Repeated acts of abuse on different occasions;

         LM’s lack of acceptance of the allegations;

         The impact the abuse, and LM’s lack of acknowledgement of the abuse, has had on the

         victims;

    6.   The circumstances at the time that LM was asked to run the gurukula, ie. the lack of support,

         finances, and resources;

    7.   LM’s personal circumstances of being abandoned by her husband, the injury her son

         sustained, and the impact this had on LM;




         Founder Acarya His Divine Grace A C Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada

                                           ISKCON®
     8.   LM’s age, and service to Srila Prabhupada over the years.



Conclusion:


Based on the evidence presented, the Review Panel found it more likely than not that LM is

responsible for child negligence, as well as emotional, psychological, physical, and sexual abuse. This

is an ecclesiastic decision that defines the relationship between LM and ISKCON.


While we acknowledge that the situation LM was in whilst running the gurukula was very difficult,

we feel that these circumstances do not mitigate the abuse she inflicted on the girls.




Requirements:


1.   LM must write individual letters of apology to all the victims. It should be sent to the CPO for
     delivery to the individuals at an appropriate time. LM should not contact the victims directly, or
     post any apologies/acknowledgements on any noticeboards/public forums.




Restrictions:


The following are restrictions placed upon LM for a period for 10 years:


     1.   LM must show this document to the Temple President of any temple she visits, or the

          manager of any ISKCON project or school that she visits, and obtain a signed statement that

          the president or manager has read this decision. LM shall send the signed copy of the

          decision to the ISKCON Central Office of Child Protection. If a new temple president or

          manager of an ISKCON project or school assumes the position, then LM is responsible to

          have the new administrator read and sign this document, and then to resubmit the

          document to the Child Protection Office.

     2.   LM should not be allowed to stay overnight or reside at any ISKCON centre or facility

          affiliated with ISKCON.

          a.   However, taking LM’s age and ashram into consideration, we have made an exception to

               allow her to reside in two temples, in either USA or Canada, of her choosing. She should

               notify the CPO Director of which temples she intends to reside in.




          Founder Acarya His Divine Grace A C Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada

                                                 ISKCON®
          b.    As the safest place for women to stay in Mayapur, is on the temple grounds, we have also

                made an exception to allow her to reside overnight on ISKCON property in Mayapur

                whilst she is visiting there.

          c.    One final exception is that she is permitted to spend a maximum of one night, each way,

                in the Delhi temple, whilst travelling between the airport and Vrindavana. This is also for

                her safety, so that she does not have to travel to Vrindavana during night time.

     3.   LM may not hold any position of leadership or management within ISKCON. This includes

          sitting on any committees or accepting any high profile/public/advisory positions.

    4.    LM may not give class or lead kirtana/harinama at any ISKCON temple or project. This

          includes any public or private classes/lectures/kirtans, ie.no teaching of any kind.

     5.   LM may not perform brahminical services/public worship such as, offering arati, offering a

          garland to Srila Prabhupada, etc.


The following are lifetime restrictions placed upon LM:


     1.   Asa   lifetime restriction LM shall not have service involving children in any ISKCON temple,

          school or project. Children are defined as anyone under 18 years ofage.

     2.   LM may not be present if victims or their family members are present at an ISKCON centre

          or function if the victims or their family members object to her presence there.


The lifting of these sanctions is subject to full compliance of the above requirements and restrictions.


Any violation of the above may result in continuation of sanctions, dependent on the determination

of the ICOCP Director.


Standard CPO Policies


Restriction Policy: The decision of the panel constitutes the minimum restrictions that an ISKCON organization must

enforce. Any specific ISKCON centre may choose to enforce restrictions that are more stringent. It is expected that all

ISKCON entities will carefully consider these decisions of the CPO before imposing more stringent limitations, as the

constraints prescribed herein are deemed sufficient.


Appeals: According to the ‘Guidelines’, in cases where allegations are determined to be valid, the Official Decision may

be appealed to the Child Protection Office within 60 days of receipt of the decision. It must be submitted in writing to the

CPO Director.     The only two principles that an appeal may be accepted are 1) if procedures in the original review

prevented a fair and impartial hearing, or 2) if there is new and compelling additional evidence. The official decision

described in this document is effective immediately. Should s/he choose to appeal this decision the individual named

must abide by the original decision during the appeal process.




          Founder Acarya His Divine Grace A C Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada

                                              ISKCON®


Note: Write if, when, where this case was reported to law enforcement and what the outcome was.




The Review Panel Members in this case were:


Chandravalidd     27" April 2018


Daksina dd        27" April 2018


Jayasacisuta      27° April 2018


The Case Manager was Gandharvika dd


The Director of the [COCP was Kamalesh Krishna das




        Founder Acarya His Divine Grace A C Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada