Official Decision of the ISKCON Central Office of Child Protection on the case of Keshava Bharati Das Goswami, concluded 12 December 2023, with the panel's addendum of 26 December 2023 on the GBC Executive Committee's request

ISKCON®
                               international Child Protection Office
                                    Phone: +447740868434
                                Email: iskconukcpo@gmail.com




                                   CONFIDENTIAL


   Official Decision on the case of Keshava Bharati Das Goswami (KBdG) DOB: N/A




This decision, concluded on December 12th 2023, 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 2018.                     This finding is the Official
Decision of the ISKCON Central Office of Child Protection (ICOCP) in the case of
Kesava Bharati das Goswami (KBdG).               For purposes of identification, KBdG, aka
Kenneth Beck, is an initiated disciple of His Divine Grace ACBhaktivedanta Swami
Prabhupada. Currently living in United Kingdom. Born in United States of America.
White-bodied male.

This decision defines the parameters of the relationship of KBdG with ISKCON. The
ICOCP advises child abuse victims, their parents, and all members of ISKCON to
report allegations of child abuse to governmental social service/ law enforcement
authorities.     Also, the ICOCP advises all members of ISKCON to research, be
familiar with,   and follow their local laws regarding child abuse and                  mandated
reporting of child abuse.

There are allegations of sexual abuse against KBdG that occurred in Spain in 1985.

According to the ISKCON Child Protection Policy and Operational Guidelines, sexual
abuse is defined as:

SEXUAL ABUSE occurs 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 coercion can be either physical, verbal, or non-verbal. The other person
could be either an adult, an adolescent (12-17 years of age), or in extreme cases,
another child (less than 12 years of age). The abuser uses his/her position of
authority or power (size, age, social position, cognitive differential) to exert control
over and exploit the victim.




       Founder Acarya His Divine Grace A C Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada

                                    ISKCON®
C. Behavioural Principles in Dealing with Children

1. A high ethical and professional standard while interacting with children must be
maintained.

6. Prohibited conduct includes, but is not limited to:

a) Sharing the same bed, van, hotel room, sleeping bag or tent with a child unless
the adult is a parent, guardian or sibling;

b) Being alone with a child who is not a member of the family in a locker room, rest
room, dressing, changing or showering facility;

c) Taking photographs of children who are unclothed or dressing, or permitting
photographs by others;

d) Verbal harassment, such as derogatory comments, jokes, or slurs;

e) Visual harassment, such as derogatory or sexually explicit messages, notes or
gestures;

f) Sexual advances, requests for sexual favours, or other verbal or physical conduct
of a sexual nature.

ISKCON recognises that there are few offences more serious than abuse or
other misconduct with a minor, especially by a member of the ISKCON clergy
or other personnel.

Accordingly, it is the policy of ISKCON to use every reasonable means to prevent the
occurrence of abuse, to treat with utmost seriousness any allegation of abuse or
misconduct and to alleviate, as far as possible, the suffering of all persons affected
by abuse if an incident should occur.

- ISKCON Child Protection Policy and Operational Guidelines, 2018.




Evidence:

The   ICOCP has received       one statement from a victim regarding child      abuse
allegations against KBdG.    The reported incident involved a ten-year-old child.   The
victim was female.


The alleged incident took place at New Vrajamandala, Spain. At the time of the
alleged incident, KBdG was a sannyasi at the temple.




      Founder Acarya His Divine Grace A C Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada

                                   ISKCON®
The allegations against KBdG are as follows:


   1.   The abuse happened on one occasion in 1985.

   2.   He groomed the victim by giving her gifts, such as a picture of Radha Krishna.

        He groomed the victim by repeatedly summoning the victim to his room
        sometimes alone, and sometimes at night.

        He asked her to sit close to him when they were alone.

        He would give the victim big pieces of burfi and mahaprasad that were
        otherwise very hard to get. These gestures as described were seen as special
        treatment towards the victim

        He would read the victim’s palm under the pretence of astrology and directed
        her to keep these interactions a secret.

        He was talking about his Vrindavan trip with the victim and whilst mentioning
        that his feet touched all those holy places and temples, he asked the victim to
        massage his feet. He laid down and put his feet on her lap, proceeded to
        open his    lunghi, making his kaupin visible to the victim, whilst touching
        himself as the victim massaged his feet

        KBdG remained silent when the victim was reprimanded in his presence for
        telling someone that she had massaged his feet.

        One of the times that KBdG asked the victim to his room alone, he asked the
        victim to stand up and to put her feet on top of his. He was holding her and
        dancing and laughing.




This review panel has considered all the information at its disposal and has come to
the following decision based on:




   1.   The accused groomed this ten-year-old girl and abused her sexually.



        Founder Acarya His Divine Grace A C Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada

                                      ISKCON®
     2.   The accused knew very well the gravity of his actions and has admitted that
          out of guilt for his actions, at one point in time was considering committing
          suicide by jumping into the ocean at Jagannatha Puri.

     3.   The accused admitted to his guilt in his first response but later recanted.

     4.   The incident has left the victim traumatised, and at age ten felt she had been
          mistreated. She feels the accused has never apologised to her sincerely. She
          feels anger towards him for recanting on his admission of guilt and the fact
          that he boasts that he came back to sannyasa ashram by unanimous decision
          of then GBC in 2006.




Conclusion:

Based on the evidence presented, the Review Panel found it likely
                                                           more than not
that KBdG is responsible for child sexual abuse, spiritual abuse, and grooming
a child (building a relationship of trust and emotional connection with a child or young person so
they can manipulate, exploit, and abuse them). This is an ecclesiastic decision that defines
the relationship between KBdG and ISKCON.



Requirements:

1.   KBdG must write a letter of apology to the victim that should be sent to the CPO
     for delivery to the individual at an appropriate time. KBdG should not contact the
     victim directly.



2.   KBdG is required to pay a sum of $1,000 within the next two years for child
     support/therapy/to support ISKCON youth programs such as: ISKCON Child
     Protection Office, or an ISKCON school accepted by the Child Protection Office).
     The money should be sent to the Child Protection Office.



Restrictions:

The following are restrictions placed upon KBdG for a period for 8 years, effective
immediately:




          Founder Acarya His Divine Grace A C Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada

                                    ISKCON®
1.KBdG    may not visit any       ISKCON   centre or projects including   nama-hattas,
  festivals, or ISKCON organised/affiliated programs in Spain where he committed
  the offences.

2.KBdG may not hold any position of leadership or management, including in an
  advisory capacity.

3.KBdG may not give class or lead kirtana/harinama in any ISKCON temple or
  project, or carry out any public preaching, including recording audiobooks, and any
  editing work where he will be publicly credited for his work.

4.KBdG may not perform brahminical services/public worship such as, offering arati,
  going on the altar, offering a garland to Srila Prabhupada, etc.

5. As per the 2007 GBC resolution #312 Clarifying Leadership Standards Part B,
  KBdG may not continue to give first, second, or sannyasa initiations. Nor should
  he accept any new disciples for siksa.




  “Special consideration: This panel recognises that KBdG may still have initiated
  disciples that wish to continue taking shelter from him and it is for their sake only
  that this panel makes the following exception to the above restrictions:


  KBdG may hold private sangas for his already initiated disciples, off ISKCON
  property, where he can continue to give class and lead kirtan. These can also be
  held online, but should not be advertised on, or posted in public forums or on
  social media (Facebook, YouTube, etc.) He may wish to make a disciples-only
  WhatsApp group, for example. Any vyasa-puja celebrations should also be held
  privately for disciples only.




The following are LIFETIME restrictions placed upon KBdG:


1.KBdG shall not have service involving children in any ISKCON temple, school or
  project. (Children are defined as anyone under 18 years of age.)

2.KBdG cannot stay overnight or reside at any ISKCON centre or facility affiliated
  with ISKCON.*




      Founder Acarya His Divine Grace A C Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada

                                    ISKCON®
3.KBdG may not be present if the victim, or her family members, are present at an
  ISKCON centre or function. If the victim or her family arrive at the same place as
  KBdG, he should leave immediately.




*26/12/23: The panelists have considered the GBC EC’s request that KBdG be
permitted to reside at one ISKCON facility, such as ISKCON Goverdhana, as he is
elderly and has no shelter other than ISKCON.

The panelists would like to stress the importance of zero-tolerance policy towards
child   abuse within   ISKCON,   highlighting that support for the victim      must take
precedence over any consideration for the abuser. They would like to highlight that
the passage of time does not lessen the seriousness of the offence and                its
reproductions; rather, it reveals an inability to address abuse promptly, undermining
the victims’ trauma.

We call for introspection when we are more concerned with the wellbeing of the
accused over the victim. The fact that the accused boasts about being welcomed
into sannyasa by the GBC unanimously, gives us plenty to ponder.

The panelists have reviewed and granted the request based on KBdG’s advanced
age and health. KBdG must vacate if the victim would like to visit the chosen temple.

However, the panelists are concerned with the message this will send to the victim
and broader community, that concern/considerations were for the accused, not the
victim, highlighting skewed principles.

The GBC stated in their request, “ISKCON is Maharaja’s only shelter.”


We would like to bring the focus back to the abused child whose only shelter was
also    ISKCON,     and was   left unprotected   and   unsupported.   We would    like to
emphasise that focusing on the victim's well-being          is crucial.   Handling abuse
appropriately is crucial for the well-being of ISKCON and all its members.




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.




        Founder Acarya His Divine Grace A C Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada

                                        ISKCON®


Panel Recommendations:


1. This review panel recommends that the ICPO Director share this report with the
  Sannyasa Ministry so they can examine whether they deem KBdG’s conduct
  befitting that of a sannyasi.


2. This panel recommends that the Guru Services Ministry consider whether, in light
  of this decision, KBdG should be permitted to continue to give first, second, or
  sannyasa initiations, or accept any new disciples for siksa once the 8 year
  restriction   period   is up. Taking     note of the GBC resolution          #312   Clarifying
  Leadership Standards Part B (detailed previously).


3. This panel would also like to address the Spanish GBC, leaders and managers.
  Initial complaints about KBdG’s inappropriate behaviour with the victim were not
  dealt with adequately. The Spanish yatra needs to prioritise child protection and
  develop a better understanding of the impact of child abuse by ensuring all leaders
  (or future leaders), have mandatory CPO training in order to maintain their
  positions. This training has to be renewed every two years.


4. This panel would also like to highlight that many of KBdG’s godbrothers and other
  senior devotees wrote character references for him, some even claiming that he
  could “never” have carried out any child abuse. This goes to show that the culture
  of defending and protecting one’s friend still exists in our society, and unless
  leaders receive training and have an understanding of child abuse, they will
  continue to blindly support, protect, and defend those who have had serious
  allegations made against them. It should be mandatory for all GBCs and leaders
  to have ongoing child protection training.


5. This panel     would    also   like    to   appeal    to   the   Sannyasa    Ministry.      Our
  recommendation would be to seriously and thoroughly screen each sannyasa
  candidate and their eligibility. The impact of repeatedly seeing devotees given
  sannyasa and guru status that have abuse histories causes an extremely harmful
  dissonance for     ISKCON       and    its   members    and   breaks   devotees’    faith.   We
  recommend      in depth training in child protection for the sannyasa committee
  members.




      Founder Acarya His Divine Grace A C Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada

                                          ISKCON®




Standard CPO Policies




Restriction Policy: The decision of the panel constitutes the minimum restrictions that an ISKCON
organization must enforce.    Any specific ISKCON center 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 appeai this decision the individual named must abide
by the original decision during the appeal process.




The Review Panel Members in this case were:


NAMES WITHHELD




The Case Manager was Daksina dd 15/12/2023



Halerwoe don ase

The Director of the ICOCP was Kamalesh Krishna das 15/12/2023




fsnvle   io
    (bad d.




         Founder Acarya His Divine Grace A C Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada